A deadly fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has killed 24 people so far. Rescue teams are still searching for more than 80 missing persons as smoke and debris slow operations.
The death toll in the massive fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has risen to 24, officials said. Among the dead is one firefighter who lost his life during rescue work. Family members of those trapped inside say at least 80 people are still missing.
The fire broke out late on Saturday night and took more than 24 hours to control. Due to the presence of highly flammable materials, the fire spread very quickly across the building. A large portion of the mall collapsed, making rescue operations extremely difficult.
Heavy smoke and huge piles of debris are slowing down the search process. Even on Monday morning, smoke was seen coming out from inside the damaged building. Rescue teams continue to search for the missing, and officials fear that more bodies may be recovered.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He has instructed authorities to strictly monitor building safety to prevent such disasters in the future.
