The death toll from the devastating fire that engulfed a shopping mall in Karachi, southern Pakistan, has risen to 21, according to rescue services and local authorities on Monday. This latest count comes after a grueling effort by rescue teams to control the blaze, which broke out Saturday evening at the Gul Plaza mall, one of the city's busiest shopping centers.
Details of the incident and containment efforts
Hassan Khan, the head of rescue operations, told AFP that 21 bodies had been recovered so far, adding that search and rescue operations were still underway at the scene. Khan explained that among the victims was a 25-year-old firefighter who lost his life while trying to rescue those trapped. Around 30 injured people were also taken to hospitals for treatment, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.
For his part, Police Inspector Syed Asad Raza stated that authorities have counted about sixty people missing, raising real concerns that the number of victims could rise as the removal of rubble and search operations continue on the three floors of the center, which houses about 1,200 shops.
Context of the crisis: Karachi and its crumbling infrastructure
This incident is not an isolated event, but rather a reflection of the reality in Karachi, Pakistan's economic capital and most populous city, with over 20 million inhabitants. For decades, the city has grappled with serious challenges related to dilapidated infrastructure and poor urban planning. Fires frequently break out in factories, shopping centers, and residential buildings, largely due to a lack of occupational safety standards, haphazard electrical wiring, and insufficient emergency exits in overcrowded buildings.
Public anger and criticism of the authorities
Dozens of relatives of the victims and missing persons gathered around the shopping center, their faces etched with grief and anger, hoping for any information about their loved ones. The families and shop owners sharply criticized local authorities, accusing them of slow rescue operations and failing to enforce strict safety regulations in large commercial buildings.
A history of tragic events
This fire brings to mind a series of similar disasters that have struck Pakistan in recent years, claiming the lives of hundreds of workers and citizens. The Pakistani government is facing increasing pressure, both domestically and internationally, to improve its civil defense system and enforce stricter building codes to prevent a recurrence of these tragedies that drain lives and deplete the country's economic resources.
