ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed heartfelt condolences for the people of Palestine, as a fire in Gaza Strip claimed the lives of 21 people.
At least 21 people were killed and several injured when a fire ripped through an apartment building on Thursday night. The building is located in the densely-populated Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza strip. Authorities said preliminary investigations showed that the fire was triggered by huge amounts of gasoline stored in the building.
The fire was caused by a celebration by one of the families living in the building, authorities said. Palestinian news agency WAFA said several children also died in the fire.
“We, in Pakistan, are grieved at the loss of 21 precious lives including that of eight children in a fire tragedy in a residential building in Gaza,” Sharif wrote on Twitter.
Israel, which maintains a blockade on Gaza with Egypt, said it would allow in those in need of medical treatment.
Media reports stated that it took over an hour for firefighters to take control of the flames that erupted through to the top floor of the four-story building.
