A devastating fire has torn through a shopping centre in Pakistan's largest city, leaving a trail of death and despair. More than a dozen people have been confirmed dead and over 60 are reported missing after flames engulfed the Gul Plaza mall in Karachi on Saturday.
Desperate Search for Survivors
Rescue teams worked through the night and into Sunday, combing the collapsed structure of the multi-storey building for any signs of life. The grim operation continued as distraught families gathered outside the cordoned-off site, clinging to hope that their relatives might be found.
Local media reported scenes of anguish and mounting frustration as the hours passed. The complex nature of the collapse and the intensity of the fire hampered efforts to reach potential survivors trapped in the debris.
Public Anger Boils Over
The official response to the tragedy has sparked significant public outcry. Anger reached a boiling point on Sunday night when Karachi's Mayor, Murtaza Wahab, visited the site approximately 23 hours after the blaze began.
Crowds protested, chanting anti-government slogans and expressing fury over what they perceived as a critically slow response from the city's fire department. Questions are now being raised about emergency preparedness and building safety regulations in the bustling metropolis.
A City in Mourning
The fire at Gul Plaza represents one of the deadliest building fires in Karachi in recent years. The incident has cast a pall over the city, highlighting urgent concerns about urban safety standards.
As the rescue mission transitions into a recovery operation, the focus for many families remains on finding their missing loved ones. The full scale of the tragedy may not be known for days, as authorities work to clear the dangerous wreckage.
