A devastating fire tore through Gul Plaza, a sprawling multi-storey shopping mall in Karachi, late on Saturday, leaving at least 14 people dead and more than 60 still missing. The complex, located in Karachi’s historic centre, houses around 1,200 shops and spans an area larger than a football field.
Videos captured fierce flames consuming the building as firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze. On Monday, rescue teams focused on cooling the remaining structure and clearing debris, including twisted metal, fallen air-conditioning units, and shop signboards, amid warnings that the unstable building could collapse at any moment.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Police Chief Javed Alam Odho confirmed 14 deaths and around 60 people missing, noting that the number of casualties could rise as rescue operations continue. About 18 injured individuals have already been released from hospitals. Firefighters emphasized the challenge of navigating the thick smoke and unstable floors as they search for survivors.
Shopowners, whose livelihoods were destroyed, expressed their despair. “We’ve been left high and dry, reduced to zero; 20 years of hard work, all gone,” said Yasmeen Bano, a shopowner at the mall.
Anger over the response time surfaced during a visit by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Sunday night, with crowds chanting anti-government slogans and criticizing delays in the fire department’s arrival.
Cause and Conditions
Authorities reported receiving the first emergency call at 10:38 p.m. (1738 GMT) on Saturday, by which time flames had already spread to the upper floors. Police Chief Odho stated that the fire appeared to have been triggered by a circuit breaker.
The mall’s layout and ventilation issues, combined with flammable materials like carpets, blankets, and resin-containing products, contributed to the fire’s intensity and prolonged smoldering. Firefighters continue to work carefully amid hazardous conditions.
With information from Reuters.
