More plaza survivors record statements

KARACHI:

The judicial commission, probing the Gul Plaza tragedy, has recorded the statements of two more survivors. Responses from fire brigade authorities and the municipal commissioner have also been received regarding the cross-examination of journalist Babar and another witness, Danish.

Citizen Junaid said that at around 10:15pm, he closed his shop, located on the mezzanine floor, and left. He had left his mobile phone in the shop. When he returned he noticed thick clouds of smoke. Sensing the situation, at approximately 11:15pm, he along with two others rushed out of the plaza. He said they left the building from the side near the washrooms. After managing to get out, he lost consciousness because of the smoke. He added that no announcement regarding the fire was made while they were inside the building.

Another survivor, Ali Haider, stated that at the time of closing his shop, the ground floor of the plaza was filled with smoke. He immediately left the shop and exited from the building. Once outside, he observed that the fire had erupted on the mezzanine floor. He returned to his shop but lost consciousness due to smoke. When he regained consciousness, he was in a hospital.