Muhammed Amin is beside himself with grief and despair. His brother, Naveed Memon, was inside Gul Plaza when a massive fire ripped through the densely-packed shopping centre in Pakistan's commercial capital, Karachi. Like dozens of others, he still hasn't been found.
What should I tell my mother when I go home? What should I tell my nieces? asks Amin.
Housing an estimated 1,200 shops across multiple floors, Gul Plaza was a bustling wholesale market favored by local shoppers. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but witnesses described chaotic scenes as flames spread rapidly, exacerbated by locked exits that hindered escape efforts.
Survivors relayed terrifying accounts of panic and confusion, with some trapped due to insufficient escape routes. I knew some ways to get out of the plaza. But the first exit I tried was locked, recounted Shoiab, a young worker who managed to escape, albeit after losing consciousness in the smoke.
As rescuers continue to search the remains of the building, the confirmed death toll has reached 27, with serious fears for more than 70 missing individuals amidst the damaged structure. Distraught family members gather at the site, desperate for information about their loved ones.
Public outrage has been directed at local officials for their response time and safety oversight, as calls for accountability grow louder. Karachi's chief minister has promised an investigation, with broader discussions on necessary reforms in fire safety practices following this tragedy.
What should I tell my mother when I go home? What should I tell my nieces? asks Amin.
Housing an estimated 1,200 shops across multiple floors, Gul Plaza was a bustling wholesale market favored by local shoppers. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but witnesses described chaotic scenes as flames spread rapidly, exacerbated by locked exits that hindered escape efforts.
Survivors relayed terrifying accounts of panic and confusion, with some trapped due to insufficient escape routes. I knew some ways to get out of the plaza. But the first exit I tried was locked, recounted Shoiab, a young worker who managed to escape, albeit after losing consciousness in the smoke.
As rescuers continue to search the remains of the building, the confirmed death toll has reached 27, with serious fears for more than 70 missing individuals amidst the damaged structure. Distraught family members gather at the site, desperate for information about their loved ones.
Public outrage has been directed at local officials for their response time and safety oversight, as calls for accountability grow louder. Karachi's chief minister has promised an investigation, with broader discussions on necessary reforms in fire safety practices following this tragedy.
