At least three people dead and several others injured, officials confirmed
Karachi: A devastating fire broke out at Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road late Saturday night, leaving at least three people dead and several others injured, officials confirmed.
According to Dr Sabir Memon, Executive Director of the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre, three bodies were brought to the hospital, all of whom were already deceased upon arrival. Seven other individuals sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Rescue officials said the fire originated in shops located on the ground floor of the mall before rapidly spreading throughout the building. Several people were reported trapped on the upper floors during the blaze, prompting an urgent rescue operation.
Fire brigade teams deployed six to seven fire tenders to control the flames, with officials describing the situation as critical due to the intensity of the fire and the structure of the building.
Police officials stated that the preliminary cause of the incident appears to be a short circuit in one of the shops, though a detailed investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed authorities to divert traffic from the surrounding area to ensure public safety and allow emergency vehicles unhindered access to the site. He also instructed officials to secure the building to prevent the fire from spreading further.
The incident comes just a day after a major fire at the Karachi Port Trust, where at least 20 containers—mostly carrying electrical batteries—were destroyed, raising concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness in the city.
