At least 67 people have died in a devastating mall fire in Pakistan’s largest city, local officials confirmed on Friday. An unnamed government spokesperson said that post-mortem examinations of 67 bodies have been completed, while DNA analysis is ongoing to identify victims and confirm casualties.
The fire, which broke out earlier this week, quickly engulfed sections of the shopping complex, trapping shoppers and staff inside. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as people attempted to escape, while emergency services worked to contain the blaze and evacuate the building.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with early reports suggesting that safety lapses or electrical faults may have contributed. Firefighting teams faced significant challenges due to the mall’s layout and the rapid spread of flames. Rescue operations involved multiple units, including fire brigades and paramedics, who worked tirelessly through the night to assist victims and retrieve the injured.
DNA testing is being used to identify bodies that were badly burned, ensuring that families can be informed accurately and with certainty. Local authorities have emphasised that the process may take time, given the scale of the tragedy and the number of victims involved.
The incident has prompted renewed discussions about building safety regulations, fire prevention measures, and emergency response protocols in urban centres across Pakistan. Experts note that crowded commercial areas can be particularly vulnerable to such disasters if safety standards are not rigorously enforced.
Officials have also urged the public to remain patient as investigations continue and authorities work to provide support to families affected by the tragedy. Counselling services and temporary assistance have reportedly been arranged for relatives of the victims, while investigations aim to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
This fire marks one of the deadliest recent incidents in Pakistan’s urban centres, highlighting the critical importance of fire safety measures, strict building codes, and rapid emergency response capabilities. Authorities have vowed to review current practices and implement lessons from the tragedy to improve safety in commercial complexes nationwide.
