Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the fire incident at Gul Plaza shopping mall on M.A. Jinnah Road.
He said, “This is a deeply tragic incident in which precious lives have been lost. The government stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected families in their grief.”
Sharjeel said that as soon as information about the incident was received, the government machinery has been present at the site since the night, and all available resources are being fully utilized to control the fire.
He said that forty snorkels are participating in the operation. The fire has largely been brought under control and the cooling process is ongoing.”
He emphasized that the government will not be satisfied until the cooling process is completed one hundred percent.
A complete inquiry into the incident is underway to determine how the fire started and what caused it, he added.
A fact-finding report will be prepared regarding the incident, on the basis of which future actions will be taken.
So far, six precious lives have been lost in this tragic incident, including one rescue worker, he confirmed.
He said that due to suffocation, more than seventeen people were shifted to hospitals, several of whom have been discharged after receiving medical treatment.
He said that Gul Plaza is an old building and the final cause of the fire will only be known after the completion of investigations.
The government is avoiding any kind of speculation and the matter is being examined from all angles, he said adding that immediately after the incident, the fire brigade, snorkels and rescue agencies reached the site and timely action was taken.
Sharjeel said that modern equipment is being used in the rescue and firefighting operations including high-reach snorkels, foam, and cooling systems.
He said that all relevant departments are continuously monitoring the situation.
He further said that after a complete assessment of the losses, the government will decide on the future course of action.
Sharjeel said that whether it is the trader community or other affected individuals, the government will make every effort to provide maximum possible assistance within the framework of law and regulations.
He said that, at present, the government’s top priority is rescue operations, completion of the cooling process and the protection of human lives.”
Separately, Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has expressed his deep sorrow over the martyrdom of a firefighter during efforts to extinguish the fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall.
He said that the martyred firefighter Furqan embraced martyrdom while performing his duties.
He said that personnel of rescue agencies are risking their lives and making every possible effort to bring the situation under control.
The Mayor said in this time of grief, we stand with the family of martyred Furqan and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will provide full support to its martyred employees. He said that teams and machinery are fully engaged in extinguishing the fire.