A judicial inquiry into the deadly Gul Plaza fire has been completed, with findings pointing to serious institutional negligence and failures in Karachi’s emergency response system, as reported by local media.
According to ARY News reports, the commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal, will submit its report to the Sindh government after concluding a detailed investigation into the tragic incident.
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The fire broke out on January 17 and continued for more than 32 hours, claiming over 73 lives. Rescue teams recovered only a few intact bodies, while most victims were found severely burned.
The probe revealed that multiple departments failed to respond effectively during the crisis, as per media reports. The district administration was found to have played a limited role during the emergency.
Equipment Misuse
Despite arriving at the venue, fire tenders failed to utilize smoke ejectors, limiting their ability to control the spread of smoke and improve visibility for rescue efforts.
Delayed Response
Rescue 1122 personnel reached the scene late, while the Civil Defence department did not carry out its core responsibilities effectively, further hampering rescue operations.
Water Supply Issues
The Water and Sewerage Corporation failed to provide timely water supply to the fire brigade. Reports indicate that the water supply was actually suspended on the day of the incident, worsening the crisis.
Gul Plaza Fire: KMC Municipal Commissioner Records Statement in Judicial Probe
Communication Gap
The report highlighted a complete breakdown in communication among key city institutions, which significantly affected coordination during the emergency.
Safety Lapses
A 2023 fire safety report had called for a review of safety measures at Gul Plaza, but no inspection was conducted. Additionally, the building management failed to implement proper fire safety protocols.
Incident Overview
The devastating fire erupted on the night of January 17 and continued for more than 32 hours before being brought under control. The blaze engulfed Gul Plaza and resulted in significant destruction.
Casualties in Karachi Gul Plaza Blaze
Over 73 people lost their lives in the shopping mall fire. Rescue workers recovered only six intact bodies, while the rest were found as severely charred remains.
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Judicial Inquiry
On February 10, the government constituted a judicial commission to investigate the incident, appointing Justice Agha Faisal as the head of the probe.
