Six killed as massive fire engulfs Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall

At least six people were killed after a massive fire broke out at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall, with officials on Sunday warning that the death toll could rise as several people are still feared trapped inside the building.

The fire erupted late Saturday night at the multi-storey shopping complex, which houses around 1,200 shops, and remained partially uncontrolled more than 18 hours later. Officials said the blaze started in an artificial flower shop on the ground floor and quickly spread to the upper floors.

Firefighters said the lack of ventilation, sealed windows and absence of emergency exits caused thick smoke to fill the building, severely hampering rescue operations. Parts of the structure collapsed during firefighting, raising fears that more people could be trapped under the rubble.

Pakistan Navy, Rescue 1122, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and city fire brigade teams took part in the operation. A total of 22 fire tenders, 10 water bowsers, four snorkels and 33 ambulances were deployed at the site.

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Officials said around 60% to 75% of the fire had been brought under control, but intense heat and flammable material stored inside the plaza continued to pose serious risks. The ground and mezzanine floors were completely gutted, while the upper floors also sustained heavy damage.

Six bodies and 22 injured people were recovered and shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi, where the wounded were admitted to the burns ward. One firefighter, identified as Furqan from the Nazimabad Fire Office, lost his life while battling the flames.

Sindh Labour and Social Protection Minister Saeed Ghani confirmed the death toll and said there was still a possibility that more people were inside the building. He urged citizens to cooperate with rescue authorities and stressed the need for strict enforcement of fire safety measures, including emergency exits and firefighting equipment.

Rescue officials said at least 16 people were reported missing, while families of the missing contacted authorities for information. A helpline was established by the district administration to assist relatives seeking details of trapped or missing persons.

Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun said the building lacked a proper firefighting system and emergency access routes. He added that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined, though a short circuit or electrical fault could not be ruled out.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and ordered an immediate inquiry, directing authorities to submit a detailed report on the causes of the fire and the condition of safety arrangements. He also ordered fire safety audits of commercial buildings across Karachi.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. The prime minister also paid tribute to the firefighter who lost his life during the rescue operation.

Firefighting and cooling operations were continuing late Sunday as officials assessed the structural stability of the building before launching a full-scale search operation inside the plaza.