Firefighters brought the devastating Gul Plaza fire Karachi under control after nearly 36 hours of continuous operations, but officials have warned that the severely damaged building remains highly unstable and could collapse at any moment. At least 14 people, including a firefighter, have lost their lives, while dozens are still missing, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The Gul Plaza fire Karachi erupted late Saturday night at the multi-storey shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road and continued to rage throughout Sunday. The intense blaze caused partial structural collapses, with flames reported on the ground and second floors even after the main fire was extinguished. Cooling operations are ongoing at the site.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said the central blaze of the Gul Plaza fire Karachi had been put out, but the structure was no longer safe. He warned of an imminent collapse, adding that active firefighting had been halted and only debris removal operations were being carried out.
Rescue teams recovered body parts of five more victims, including a child, from the Gul Plaza fire Karachi site since Sunday night. Officials confirmed the death toll has risen to at least 14, while approximately 54 to 59 people remain unaccounted for. Authorities are using mobile phone data to trace missing individuals.
DIG South Asad Raza said police obtained mobile numbers of 59 missing persons linked to the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, successfully tracing 26 of them near the incident site. Further verification is underway, and a dedicated police helpline has been established on Sindh government orders.
Dozens of people injured during the Gul Plaza fire Karachi were shifted to various hospitals due to smoke inhalation and burn injuries. Around 30 injured individuals received treatment at Jinnah Hospital, the burns centre, trauma centre, and PNS Shifa, where two firefighters are still under care.
Authorities identified several victims of the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, including Kashif (40), Faraz (55), Mohammad Aamir (30), and Furqan (25), while multiple bodies remain unidentified. Official lists of injured and affected individuals have been released.
Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi said families of more than 55 missing persons had contacted the organisation regarding the Gul Plaza fire Karachi. He praised firefighters for risking their lives and urged the public to cooperate with authorities and stay clear of the dangerous site.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the location of the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, assuring maximum relief efforts and compensation for affected traders. He said the first fire tender reached the scene at 10:27pm on Saturday, with 26 fire tenders, four snorkels, and 10 water bowsers participating in the operation.
Providing details of the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, the chief minister said the building consisted of a basement, ground floor, and three storeys housing over 1,000 shops. While the exact cause is still unknown, initial reports suggest a short circuit in a shop storing flammable materials may have triggered the blaze.
Fire brigade officials stated that more than 20 vehicles were deployed to combat the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, which was declared a third-degree emergency. A firefighter lost his life after part of the rear structure collapsed during rescue efforts.
The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee set up a help desk at Civil Hospital to assist families affected by the Gul Plaza fire Karachi. Officials said DNA testing would be conducted to identify unrecognisable remains if required.
Authorities said investigations into the Gul Plaza fire Karachi will begin after cooling operations are completed. The shopping centre remains sealed as rescue teams cautiously clear debris amid fears that more victims may still be trapped.
KCCI Demands Judicial Inquiry
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for a judicial commission to investigate the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, demanding accountability and transparency in determining responsibility for the tragedy.
KCCI President Rehan Hanif questioned whether proper fire safety measures were in place at the time of the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, including emergency exits and firefighting capacity, stressing that only a judicial probe could provide clear answers.
He also raised concerns over firefighter preparedness during the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, asking whether adequate protective gear and resources were available to handle a blaze of such magnitude.
The KCCI further demanded the creation of a rehabilitation fund for victims of the Gul Plaza fire Karachi, aimed at compensating traders and supporting recovery efforts.
Death Toll May Rise
Karachi police confirmed that fatalities from the Gul Plaza fire Karachi stand at 14, with around 18 injured and nearly 60 people still missing. Officials warned the death toll could increase as rescue work continues.
Police Chief Azad Khan said initial investigations into the Gul Plaza fire Karachi found no evidence of sabotage, but criminal cases would be registered if negligence is established. He added that rescue operations are ongoing, though no timeline has been set due to safety concerns.
