Lack of training and equipment by emergency personnel cost lives, rescuer tells commission
View of site after fire broken out incident at Gul Plaza shopping mall. Photo: PPI
KARACHI:
The Gul Plaza Judicial Commission on Thursday revealed serious lapses in the performance of emergency and rescue services during the tragic fire, following the testimony of rescuer Muhammad Danish.
Danish, who personally rescued several victims, told the commission that proper training and equipment could have saved many lives. He stressed that responsibility for the incident cannot be attributed to a single person or agency.
The commission, chaired by Justice Agha Faisal at the Sindh High Court, heard accounts from survivors of the tragedy. Syed Abdullah recounted that at around 10.10am, while shopping on the mezzanine floor of Gul Plaza, the lights went out. Moments later, smoke and fire spread rapidly, and attempts to evacuate were hampered by locked gates and poor guidance. Abdullah said he and others had to improvise, using a truck and ladders to escape, as no administration personnel or rescue teams were present.
Danish, trained in fire safety, described arriving at the scene around 10.20-10.25am and noticing that essential equipment like lock cutters and gas masks were unavailable. Using ladders and help from Edhi volunteers, he rescued six to seven people, many of whom were unconscious.
Danish stressed that conditions inside the building, including thick smoke and inadequate lighting, made rescues extremely difficult. He added that boiling water used to fight the fire also caused severe burns among victims.
Danish told the commission that if trained rescue personnel had been present and adequately equipped, additional lives could have been saved. He added that windows could have been broken to create evacuation routes and criticised the fire brigade for failing to act even when rescue opportunities were visible.
Justice Faisal remarked that Danish’s testimony raised serious questions about the efficiency and preparedness of fire and rescue services. The session was adjourned to allow officials to respond to the allegations.
Following the hearing, the commission issued notices to KMC officials, including Rescue 1122 director general, the municipal commissioner, and the chief fire officer, asking for written responses by February 27. A notice was also issued to the additional controller of Civil Defence to record his statement on Thursday.
