Muhammed Amin is beside himself with grief and despair.
His brother, Naveed Memon, was inside Gul Plaza when a massive fire ripped through the densely-packed shopping centre in Pakistan's commercial capital, Karachi.
Like dozens of others, he still hasn't been found.
What should I tell my mother when I go home? What should I tell my nieces? asks Amin.
My nieces are crying for their father - they are asking me why he is late to come home. What should I tell them? How can I tell them that their father is gone?
Housing an estimated 1,200 shops across a basement, mezzanine and three floors, Gul Plaza was a wholesale market offering a wide range of cheaply-priced products, frequented especially around festivals and weddings.
What started the fire is still unknown, but witnesses reported that its rapid spread was exacerbated by locked exits and the density of shoppers and stalls crammed into the building.
Rehan Faisal, who owned a bedsheet shop, broke down the door of his shop to escape. He said the fire started far from them; initially, there was no immediate concern.
No-one knew it would spread so much. It took about five to seven minutes for everything to burn before our eyes, Faisal recalled.
Interviewee Shoiab, a 19-year-old from a decorations shop, experienced chaos as people fled in panic, overwhelmed by smoke. Many of the Plaza's exits were locked, and he narrowly escaped with the help of an unidentified rescuer.
As rescue efforts continue, the death toll has risen to 27 with more than 70 still unaccounted for. Senior officials describe the building's structure as dangerously unstable, complicating rescue operations.
Crowds searching for loved ones grow increasingly desperate. Muhammad Qaiser shared that he lost his wife, sister, and daughter-in-law in the fire, highlighting systemic failures in the emergency response as he was given conflicting guidance from authorities.
With growing public outcry, Karachi's Mayor faced protests as residents demanded accountability for what they believe could have been avoided with better safety measures and quicker emergency responses. Rescue officials reported the first emergency call came too late, allowing the fire to engulf the upper floors of the Plaza.
Amid news of promises for investigations and reforms from political leaders, the frustration from families remains palpable, wondering how such tragedies can occur repeatedly without significant changes.
