The death toll from a devastating fire at a shopping mall in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi has climbed to 50, as rescue teams continue recovery operations and search for missing persons, officials said. The fire broke out late at night and rapidly engulfed the multi-storey commercial complex, trapping shop workers and visitors inside. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control, but the intensity of the fire and dense smoke made rescue efforts difficult. Authorities said several of the bodies recovered were badly burned, complicating the identification process. DNA testing is being used to confirm the identities of victims, while dozens of people remain unaccounted for.

Rescue officials reported that a large number of shops were operating inside the building, many of them storing flammable materials, which likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Survivors and witnesses described scenes of panic as people attempted to escape the burning structure. The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined, and an investigation has been launched. Officials are examining possible safety violations, including inadequate fire exits and a lack of functioning fire-suppression systems.

The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over fire safety standards in commercial buildings across Pakistan, particularly in older and densely populated urban areas. Government authorities have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured them of assistance, while calls for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations have intensified in the wake of the disaster.