A major fire broke out in a garment factory in Karachi’s Landhi Export Processing Zone on Thursday. The blaze quickly spread and caused the factory building to collapse near Check Post 5. According to Edhi officials, at least seven people were injured in the incident. Emergency services rushed them to a nearby hospital for treatment. Rescue teams used emergency stairs to safely pull them from the damaged building.
The fire has also spread to three nearby buildings. All affected structures have been evacuated as a safety measure. Fire brigades from different parts of the city are on-site, trying to control the flames. Thick smoke continues to rise, making rescue operations more difficult. Officials have not yet confirmed what caused the fire.
In addition to the injured factory workers, five firefighters also suffered injuries during the rescue effort. The intense heat and smoke have made it hard for teams to move inside. Workers are also dealing with the risk of further structural collapse. Despite the challenges, the rescue operation is ongoing at full scale. Authorities are trying to stop the fire from spreading further.
This is not the first such incident in the area. On June 8, a major fire broke out in the same industrial zone. That fire took more than 36 hours to control and destroyed four industrial units. Five people were injured in that incident as well, according to officials.
The current fire highlights ongoing safety issues in industrial zones. Many are now questioning the enforcement of fire safety standards. Officials say a full investigation will be launched once the fire is under control. Meanwhile, rescue teams remain on high alert to avoid more injuries or damage.