KARACHI: At least 17 labourers have lost their lives in a fire that broke out at a chemical factory in Karachi on Friday, the Rescue and government officials said.
According to Deputy Commissioner Korangi Samiullah Odho, 17 bodies have been pulled out from the factory premises.
“We have not received any word regarding any more people being trapped inside,” he said.
The blaze broke out today morning at a factory in Mehran Town, Korangi.
According to Chief Fire Officer Mubeen Ahmed, after the bodies were retrieved from inside the building and the area was “cleared”, fire fighters swept the area once more for the satisfaction of the affected families who are in search of their loved ones.
“After the search operation is complete, we will begin to examine the events that occurred,” he said, adding that no cause had yet been determined for the fire.
Rescue officials said they had asked for heavy machinery to break the factory walls. It was earlier reported that they faced difficulties in the rescue operation due to smoke. Till 1:35pm, the police said more than 20 people were feared to be inside the factory.
According to eye witnesses, the fire brigade arrived late to douse the blaze. But Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab denied these reports, saying that the fire broke out at 10:09am and the fire brigade was alerted and left for the scene by 10:10am.
Jinnah hospital officials confirmed receiving 16 bodies, of which 12 have been identified and the the process to ascertain the identity of the remaining four is underway.
SINDH CM MURAD ALI SHAH TAKES NOTICE, BRIEFING GIVEN TO MURTAZA WAHAB: The Korangi deputy commissioner provided a briefing on the rescue operation to Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab.
“The fire was brought under control timely,” the deputy commissioner said. According to Odho, after the 17 bodies were pulled out, the factory was sealed.
Wahab later met with the affected families and assured them the Sindh government stands by them and will ensure a thorough probe into the incident.
He told them that the Sindh chief minister has already taken notice of the matter and that justice will be served.
KORANGI DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ‘CLUELESS’ ON WHAT HAPPENED: The Korangi deputy commissioner reached the spot five hours after the fire broke out. “As soon as I got the information, I reached the spot,” Samiullah Odho said, adding that he “didn’t know how” so many people died in the fire.
“I didn’t even know that the factory is on a residential building,” he said, assuring the media that he would “investigate” why the fire brigade officials reached late.
