Two firefighters injured: CM, governor express grief
KARACHI
At least 17 labourers died and two members of a fire fighting team got injured as fire erupted in a chemical factory in Mehran Town, Korangi Industrial Area, on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner Korangi Samiullah Odho confirmed that 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.
He said that after the 17 bodies were pulled out, the factory was sealed. The bodies and the injured were shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Hospital.
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 were 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 has yet been determined for the fire.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire brigade arrived late to douse the blaze. However, the 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.
An eyewitness said they do not know how the fire started. “There was no short-circuit and neither was food being prepared,” he said, adding that when the fire broke out, they called for help, but there was no one to listen. He said some of the windows at the back were open. The factory worker said that there were 25 people inside the factory at the time of the fire, including him.
Jinnah hospital officials confirmed receiving 16 bodies, of which 12 have been identified and the process to ascertain the identity of the remaining four is underway.
The Korangi deputy commissioner gave a briefing on the rescue operation to Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab. “The fire was brought under control timely,” the deputy commissioner said.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, and sought a report from the commissioner Karachi and the labour department.
He questioned how the incident took place and whether any security measures were in place. “How did so many casualties occur?” Shah further inquired. The chief minister also directed relevant authorities to provide full support to the families of the deceased workers.
Governor Sindh Imran Ismail also lamented the deaths of the labourers killed in the factory fire. He prayed for the deceased labourers and wished profound patience for the bereaved families. He directed to ensure a timely treatment for those injured in the incident.
Talking to media persons, Director Health Karachi Dr Akram Sultan said the incident took place in a leather factory. He said that the rescue vehicles made their way into the premises of the factory by breaking down its walls along the front and back gates.
“There was intense heat inside the factory despite the cooling process because of which several rescue workers fainted,” he said. Dr Sultan further stated that seven of the bodies had been identified, while DNA and other tests will be conducted to identify the rest of the victims.
Meanwhile, Secretary Labour Rasheed Ahmed Solangi has directed the Joint Director Labour East and Joint Director Safety and Health to reach the site of the incident. He also directed them to furnish a detailed report of the reasons within 24 hours. Solangi also asked the officials as to when the last inspection of the factory was carried out.
