Muhammed Amin is struggling to cope with overwhelming grief. His brother, Naveed Memon, was inside Gul Plaza when a massive fire tore through the crowded shopping complex in Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial hub. Days later, Naveed is still missing, along with dozens of others.
Amin says he is at a loss for words as he faces his family. “What should I tell my mother when I go home? What should I tell my nieces?” he asked. “They keep crying for their father. They ask me why he is late. How can I tell them that he is gone?
Gul Plaza, a wholesale market spread across a basement, mezzanine and three floors, housed around 1,200 shops. It was a popular destination for affordable goods such as wedding outfits, toys, decorations, bedding, artificial flowers and baby clothes. The market was especially busy ahead of festivals and weddings, drawing large crowds from across the city.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. However, witnesses say several factors worsened the disaster, including the rapid spread of flames, narrow and poorly maintained escape routes, and the heavy congestion of shoppers and stalls inside the building.
Rehan Faisal, who owned a bedsheet shop, said he managed to escape only because his shop was close to an exit. He broke open a door to get out. Although staff had earlier heard about a fire elsewhere in the building, they did not initially feel alarmed.
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