298 Killed in Fire at Karachi Garment Factory in Pakistan

Around 2,000 workers were present inside the factory when the fire broke out.

The factory's doors were locked according to reports, photo courtesy: The News International- Pakistan

(FAISALABAD, Pakistan) - The death toll in the Karachi garment factory fire has risen to 298, with several dozen workers still missing or presumably dead in the basement. Rescue workers have not been able to enter Ali Enterprises as the fire has completely destroyed the building. The blaze, which started on Tuesday night, is being seen as one of the most deadly industrial incidents in Pakistan’s history.

According to The News, at least 17 women and seven children have also died in the incident. A fireman also died in the blaze, and is yet to be identified, the paper said. Officials said the structure could collapse any time.

Around 2,000 workers were present inside the factory when the fire broke out. Charred bodies have been shifted to the Edhi Morgue, while the injured have been moved to three major hospitals Civil Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Medico-legal officers said specimens from unidentified bodies have been sent for DNA tests to identify the victims. Police have claimed that the fire might have occurred due to some fault in the factory’s standby electricity generator. Meanwhile, the factory’s owner, Shahid Bela, is still at large and law enforcement agencies have no clue about his whereabouts. The Sindh Government has put him on the Exit Control List to prevent his escape abroad. May God grant you a great harvest as you plant and water for Him!

Reverend Pervaiz Khokhar is a contributing writer in Asia who covers issues pertaining to Christianity in countries that fail to tolerate religious freedom. Perfaiz is the Chairman of The Preaching Society & Social Welfare Services, Mohallah Rasool Pura Street No 7 in Jhumra City, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

You can write to Pervaiz Khokhar at this email address: pssws2012@gmail.com

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