Karachi: Factory Fire Kills 258, Murder Case Registered Against Owners

Yesterday, on September 12th, a garment factory in Karachi caught fire killing at least 258 workers. The workers were either burnt alive or suffocated to death, unable to escape to safety. Almost 600 people were working inside at the time when the workplace caught fire. Officials say the building was in a poor condition and had no emergency exits, fire extinguishers or safety measures of any kind. Workers on the upper floors jumped to escape the fire but the workers in the basement who had no way out perished. Mohammad Nawaz Gondal, the head of the local police station said, "We have registered a murder case against the owners of the factory and several government officials for showing utter negligence to provide adequate security to the factory workers, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.” The brothers who owned the factory have been barred from leaving the country but have not been seen since the fire broke out. Families are mourning and some are still awaiting news about their loved ones as due to severe burns, many bodies have been left beyond recognition. Only140 bodies have yet been identified, while the other families wait in agony. If such negligence continues and workers are not provided adequate security and safety measures, such incidents are likely to take place more often and cause irreversible suffering to many.