11 killed in Karachi hotel fire

At least 11 persons were killed and 30 others injured in a huge fire that erupted at Karachi's Regent Plaza hotel early Monday, rescue officials said.

The blaze broke out in the kitchen in the ground floor at the Shahrah-i-Faisal, and spread across the six floor building, trapping scores of hotel guests in their rooms, Dawn news reported.

Three fire tenders of the fire brigade reached the site and started the rescue operations. The fire-fighters were able to contain the fire after three hours.

Eleven people were killed, said Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation.

At least 65 others injured and affected by the fumes were brought to the emergency department, said Seemin Jamali, head of the emergency services at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

People trying to escape the blaze jumped from upper floor windows sustaining fractured bones, while others had shattered glasses piercing their body; many were treated for smoke inhalation, she said.

She said 10 bodies were brought into the hospital. Six men, including two doctors and four women are among the dead.

Two foreigners affected by the fire were alive and their condition was satisfactory, said Jamali.

The rescue operation continues, and some people are still reportedly trapped inside the hotel.

The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.

--IANS

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