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Slum blaze in Pakistan kills 40 | Slum blaze in Pakistan kills 40 |
(3 days later) | |
At least 40 people have been killed in a fire that engulfed homes in a shanty town in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, local officials say. | At least 40 people have been killed in a fire that engulfed homes in a shanty town in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, local officials say. |
The blaze happened early on Friday in a northern suburb of the city. | The blaze happened early on Friday in a northern suburb of the city. |
Many of those killed were asleep at the time of the fire and struggled to get out. At least 20 others were injured. | Many of those killed were asleep at the time of the fire and struggled to get out. At least 20 others were injured. |
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined but may have been due either to a fallen power line or a fire lit for the cold night. | The cause of the fire has yet to be determined but may have been due either to a fallen power line or a fire lit for the cold night. |
Hemmed in | Hemmed in |
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Islamabad says distraught survivors have been desperately searching the burnt-out site for family members. | The BBC's Charles Haviland in Islamabad says distraught survivors have been desperately searching the burnt-out site for family members. |
Reports from the scene say those killed include a mother and father and their seven children, all aged under 12. | Reports from the scene say those killed include a mother and father and their seven children, all aged under 12. |
The wounded are being treated at city hospitals, one of which has declared an emergency. | The wounded are being treated at city hospitals, one of which has declared an emergency. |
More than half of the victims were children, along with many women. | More than half of the victims were children, along with many women. |
Many more people are seriously wounded with burns and there are fears the death toll may rise. | Many more people are seriously wounded with burns and there are fears the death toll may rise. |
Local officials said one reason for the high number of casualties was that the slum dwellings were hemmed in on three sides by tall buildings. | Local officials said one reason for the high number of casualties was that the slum dwellings were hemmed in on three sides by tall buildings. |
Some reports said the fire spread having been lit to warm up people outdoors on a chilly night but the provincial health minister said it might have been due to a power line falling on to the huts. | Some reports said the fire spread having been lit to warm up people outdoors on a chilly night but the provincial health minister said it might have been due to a power line falling on to the huts. |
The port of Karachi is one of the world's biggest cities, with vast numbers living in similar makeshift settlements. | The port of Karachi is one of the world's biggest cities, with vast numbers living in similar makeshift settlements. |
This appears to be one of Pakistan's deadliest fires for several years. | This appears to be one of Pakistan's deadliest fires for several years. |