A catastrophic fire that engulfed the historic Gul Plaza shopping centre on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road has claimed at least 14 lives, including a dedicated firefighter, while dozens remain missing amid ongoing search and rescue efforts.
The blaze erupted late Saturday night around 10:15-10:38 PM on January 17/18, 2026, originating from a ground-floor shop dealing in artificial flowers and plastics.
Highly flammable materials and a suspected gas leakage explosion fueled the rapid spread across multiple floors of the pre-Partition era building, which housed around 1,200 shops.
After more than 33 hours of intense firefighting involving Rescue 1122, Pakistan Navy tenders, Rangers, and other agencies, the fire was finally brought under control early Monday, though parts of the structure collapsed, complicating recovery operations.
Over 20 people sustained injuries, many with severe burns, and traders face billions in losses as livelihoods were devastated.
Rescue Challenges and Human Toll
Rescuers faced extreme hazards from thick smoke, intense heat, structural instability, and partial collapses that buried victims under debris.
Bodies were recovered gradually, pushing the death toll from initial reports of six to 14, with some remains beyond immediate identification.
Around 60-65 people were reported missing at peak, with families clinging to desperate final messages and calls from trapped loved ones—including those shopping for weddings or daily needs.
A pregnant woman was among those feared trapped. Operations shifted from firefighting to debris clearance and body recovery, with Navy personnel and heavy equipment aiding access.
Official Response and Safety Concerns
High-level officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah, Governor Kamran Tessori, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, expressed condolences and directed immediate medical aid, financial support, and investigations.
Traders and residents criticized delayed initial response and inadequate fire safety in older buildings, highlighting absent sprinklers, poor exits, and lax enforcement.
Calls grew for urgent audits and stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies in Karachi’s crowded commercial hubs.