Home / Disasters and Accidents / Karachi Market Fire Claims 14 Lives, 70 Missing
Karachi Market Fire Claims 14 Lives, 70 Missing
19 Jan
Summary
- A devastating fire raged for over 33 hours in Karachi's Gul Plaza market.
- 14 bodies were recovered, and approximately 70 people remain missing.
- Around 1,000 shops were destroyed, leaving the building structurally unsound.
A devastating fire swept through Karachi's Gul Plaza market, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life. The blaze, which ignited on Saturday night, raged uncontrollably for over 33 hours before emergency services managed to bring it under control. The inferno completely gutted the three-storey structure, annihilating approximately 1,000 shops within the bustling commercial hub.
Rescue teams have confirmed the recovery of 14 bodies from the debris. However, the grim search continues as around 70 individuals are still reported missing. Families of the missing, including those desperately seeking news of children Haider Ali and Khizar Ali, are experiencing immense anguish as the building's compromised state makes recovery efforts perilous.
Operatives are now resorting to extreme measures, breaking down walls and cutting through the wreckage to find any survivors or remains. Reports suggest significant shortcomings in the initial response, with the fire-fighting efforts described as "quite pathetic" given the extended duration of the inferno, which left nothing salvageable within the market.
