Karachi: Rescue teams continued searching through debris on Sunday after a major fire at a shopping mall in Karachi killed at least 11 people, officials said, as fears remain that more victims could be trapped inside the building.
The fire broke out late on Saturday at Gul Plaza, a busy multi storey shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road in the heart of the city. Flames spread rapidly through the building, which contained hundreds of shops storing clothes, plastic goods and household items.
Firefighters worked for more than 24 hours to bring the blaze under control. Thick smoke, high temperatures and damaged floors made rescue efforts slow and dangerous. Parts of the building collapsed, forcing teams to proceed carefully as they searched for missing people.
Authorities said dozens of people were initially reported missing after the fire. More than 20 people were injured, including a firefighter who was taken to hospital during the operation.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Early findings suggest it may have started due to an electrical fault, but officials said a detailed inquiry would be carried out to determine responsibility and check whether safety rules were followed.
Outside the site, relatives of shop workers and owners waited anxiously for updates. Many traders said they had lost everything, as shops and stored goods were completely destroyed.
Large fires in commercial buildings have occurred repeatedly in Karachi in recent years, often linked to poor safety standards and overcrowded structures. Officials said the incident highlighted the urgent need for stronger fire safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.