• Massive fire engulfs Karachi shopping mall, kills 3
• Investigations ongoing to determine cause

A huge fire broke out in a multi-story shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday evening, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to about a dozen others, according to police and rescue officials.

Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the mall shortly after 10 p.m. local time following reports of the blaze. Local media reported that most shop owners were either closing their stores or had already left when the fire erupted and spread quickly.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and police confirmed that an investigation will be launched once the flames are under control.

Experts note that most buildings in Karachi and other parts of the country lack fire prevention and firefighting systems, often leading to significant human and material losses.

Television footage showed firefighters in protective gear battling the fire using ladders, water cannons, and hoses, while thick black smoke rose visibly from windows and balconies, spreading across long distances.

Authorities said the fire began in an area where traders had stored imported clothing and plastic household goods, which fueled the rapid spread of the flames.

Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, frequently witnesses similar incidents. In November 2023, another mall fire claimed the lives of ten people and injured 22 others.