67 Confirmed Dead in Massive Karachi Gul Plaza Fire Disaster
The death toll from the massive Karachi Gul Plaza fire has climbed to 67, with 77 still missing. Investigations reveal that 13 out of 16 exits were locked, trapping shoppers.
It took more than 24 hours to extinguish the inferno. A massive blaze at Karachi's renowned Gul Plaza has turned a festive shopping season into a national tragedy. According to the BBC, the confirmed death toll has jumped to 67, with another 77 people reported missing as rescue efforts continue in the charred remains.
Massive Scale of the Karachi Gul Plaza Fire
The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening, gutted the 6,500 sq m complex that housed approximately 1,200 shops. As it's currently wedding season in Pakistan's largest city, the mall was packed with shoppers. The scale of the destruction has slowed the recovery process, and authorities say they've counted 67 skulls among the debris, highlighting the intensity of the blaze.
Fatal Safety Lapses in the Karachi Gul Plaza Fire
While the official cause remains unknown, survivors and officials point to a catastrophic failure of safety protocols. Senior police official Syed Asad Raza told Reuters that all but three of the center's 16 exits were locked at the time of the fire. Witnesses recalled that since the mall was due to close soon, the gates were secured, trapping hundreds inside.
It only took about five to seven minutes for everything to burn before our eyes. Many customers and shopkeepers were coming up saying there was a fire downstairs.
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