13 killed in Lahore shopping mall fire

A fire in a shopping mall in Lahore killed at least 13 people, local media reported on Tuesday.

Mohammed Usman, a city government official on the scene of the blaze, said the victims died of suffocation and burns. They included a woman and a child.

Mr. Usman said the fire burned the main gate of the shopping centre, where mostly watches and clothes were sold. He said there was no exit in the back part of the mall. The fire was reportedly caused by a short circuit in one of the shops.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his grief over the deadly blaze, and directed the government to accelerate the rescue and relief efforts.