Massive fire at Karachi shopping mall kills 3, injures a dozen

A large fire swept through Gul Plaza, a multistory shopping mall in Karachi late Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring around a dozen others, officials said.

Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the scene shortly after 10 pm local time. Most shop owners had already left or were closing their stores when the blaze broke out and spread rapidly, fueled by stored clothing and plastic goods.

Thick black smoke and flames erupted from windows and balconies, visible from several blocks away. Fire crews used ladders, water cannons, and hoses to contain the fire, according to local media and an AP reporter at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and police said an investigation would begin once the blaze is fully extinguished. Karachi, like many cities in Pakistan, has limited fire prevention and firefighting infrastructure, often contributing to high casualties and property losses in such incidents.

Gul Plaza is located in the southern Sindh province capital, where shopping mall fires have occurred frequently. In November 2023, a similar blaze killed 10 people and injured 22 others.

Authorities continue rescue and investigation efforts as the city assesses the extent of the damage.