Independent Report
Karachi, Jan 19 — The death toll from the devastating fire at Gul Plaza shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi has risen to 14, as rescue teams continue searching for more than 60 missing people amid unstable building conditions.
The massive blaze broke out late Saturday night and raged for over 30 hours, eventually being brought under control by firefighters. Parts of the multi-storey structure collapsed during the inferno, complicating rescue operations and heightening fears that the casualty count could climb further. �
Families of the missing remain in anguish, clinging to final messages from lost loved ones as authorities and emergency workers sift through rubble in search of survivors. �
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has received preliminary reports on the incident and ordered immediate investigations into the cause of the fire and a detailed inquiry into safety failures. �
The blaze destroyed hundreds of shops and triggered concerns about fire safety standards in commercial buildings across Karachi, prompting officials to warn of further audits and stricter enforcement of safety regulations. �
