Karachi (Bureau Report):
In Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, firefighters have failed to bring the fire at Gul Plaza under control even after 20 hours. Due to the massive blaze, more than 70 people are reported missing, causing severe distress among their families, who have rushed to hospitals in search of their loved ones.
Family members said that it has been 20 hours since they last had any contact with their relatives working at the plaza. Their mobile phones are switched off, increasing fears about their safety. One citizen stated that his two sons and a nephew were employed at the plaza, and he has been unable to contact them so far.
Hundreds of people were seen standing in long queues outside the Burns Center of Civil Hospital Karachi, hoping to find information about their loved ones. Families fear that dozens of people may still be trapped inside the building.
Affected citizens strongly protested against the Sindh government and the Karachi mayor, calling the failure to control the fire even after 20 hours a sign of incompetence. The fire, which broke out on Saturday night at Gul Plaza located on M.A. Jinnah Road, has yet to be extinguished, leaving the fate of those trapped inside still unknown.
Three sections of the building have collapsed due to the fire, causing traders losses worth billions of rupees. Affected traders and citizens staged protests, expressing anger and grief, and said that due to the negligence of the authorities, they have been unable to trace their loved ones.
They also expressed a lack of confidence in the performance of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and the Fire Brigade. Elderly citizens and women were among those visiting hospitals in search of missing family members.