Death toll in Gul Plaza fire rises to 26 as rescue continues

At least 26 people have now been confirmed dead after a devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping centre, as rescue workers recovered two more bodies, including that of a child, on Monday.

According to the Sindh government’s help desk, the number of missing persons has risen to 73 after additional names were added to the list. Authorities fear the toll could increase further as debris-clearing operations continue at the fire-hit building.

A large crowd gathered outside Gul Plaza, with protesters attempting to enter the severely damaged structure and demanding justice for the victims. Police summoned additional force to disperse the crowd, while repeated announcements warned that weakened pillars could collapse at any time.

The fire broke out late Saturday night at the multi-storey shopping complex, which houses more than 1,200 shops, and burned for over 24 hours. Thick smoke caused by poor ventilation hampered rescue efforts, while parts of the building collapsed during the inferno.

After prolonged firefighting, teams shifted to cooling and debris removal, though officials said goods inside the building were still smouldering. Firefighters confirmed that narrow entrances, lack of emergency exits and an early water shortage complicated efforts to control the blaze.

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Rescue officials said several of the recovered bodies were beyond identification. Dozens of injured people were treated and later discharged, while authorities said more bodies could still be inside.

Officials stated that initial investigations have found no evidence of sabotage. The fire reportedly started in a shop selling artificial flowers on the ground floor.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the site and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property, assuring that affected families and traders would be compensated transparently. He also ordered action against those responsible after a detailed inquiry.

Traders’ representatives criticised the authorities over alleged delays and lack of preparedness, saying goods worth billions of rupees had been destroyed and many people remained unaccounted for.

The government has set up helplines to assist families searching for missing relatives, while rescue operations continue amid serious safety risks at the site.