4 firefighters die in garment factory blaze in Pakistan

KARACHI, Pakistan –

Four firefighters died and almost a dozen others have been injured after a large hearth broke out in a garment manufacturing facility within the southern Pakistan port metropolis of Karachi, rescue officers and police mentioned Thursday.

The explanation for the blaze, which ripped via the manufacturing facility Wednesday night time and ultimately prompted it to break down, was not instantly identified, police mentioned. Earlier, heavy grey smoke abruptly rose from the manufacturing facility. Firefighters had nearly extinguished the blaze when the collapse occurred.

Rescuers have retrieved the our bodies of the firefighters from the rubble of the manufacturing facility.

Several firefighting autos have been dispatched to the scene in an industrial space of the town, the place many factories are positioned, officers mentioned. Officers have been additionally assessing the affect of the fireplace at an adjoining constructing.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths of firefighters, describing them as “martyrs” who died whereas attempting to save lots of the lives of others. In a press release, he conveyed his condolences to the households of the victims.

Sharif ordered authorities to organize a method to keep away from such incidents in future.

Karachi is the capital of southern Sindh province, the place such incidents are widespread. In August 2021, not less than 10 individuals have been killed in a large hearth at a chemical manufacturing facility in Karachi. In the deadliest such incident, 260 individuals have been killed in 2012 after being trapped inside a garment manufacturing facility when a fireplace broke out.