A devastating fire swept through part of a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan’s economic capital, on Saturday, claiming the lives of at least eleven people and leaving 35 injured, according to officials.
Rescue spokesperson Shahid Hussain reported that rescuers retrieved 11 bodies from the debris, while around 40 people were successfully rescued, with seven in critical condition.
Shabbir Alli, spokesperson for the provincial health ministry, confirmed the preliminary toll of the fire, which originated on the fourth floor of the six-story shopping mall in the port city. The fire, triggered by a short circuit in a generator, rapidly spread across two floors of the building.
Fires are a recurring issue in Pakistan, where fire safety measures, building construction standards, and their enforcement often fall short. The incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety regulations and better implementation.
In 2012, a textile factory fire in Baldia Town, west of Karachi, claimed the lives of at least 250 employees due to a lack of emergency exits. The tragic event highlighted the dire consequences of inadequate safety measures in the country.