9 Devastating Facts About the Karachi Mall Fire That Left Scores Missing

9 Devastating Facts About the Karachi Mall Fire That Left Scores Missing and safety failures face scrutiny. A massive fire that tore through a multi-storey shopping mall in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, has left at least six people dead and more than 65 missing, as firefighters and rescue workers continue combing through the smouldering ruins of the building.

The blaze, which erupted late Saturday night at Gul Plaza shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road — one of Karachi’s busiest commercial arteries — burned for more than 24 hours, causing parts of the structure to collapse and severely hampering rescue operations.

As of Sunday night, authorities warned that the death toll could rise, with fears that dozens of people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

9 Devastating Facts About the Karachi Mall Fire That Left Scores Missing

Fire Engulfs Gul Plaza in Historic Downtown Karachi

The fire broke out around 10:38 p.m. local time on Saturday, when emergency services received calls reporting flames in ground-floor shops at Gul Plaza, a densely packed commercial complex housing over 1,200 shops.

By the time firefighters arrived, the situation had already spiralled out of control.

“When we arrived, the fire from the ground floor had spread to the upper floors, and almost the entire building was engulfed,”
— Hassanul Haseeb Khan, Rescue 1122 spokesperson

Videos circulating on social media showed towering flames and thick black smoke rising into the night sky, visible from several kilometres away.

Death Toll and Missing Persons: Conflicting Figures, Rising Fears

Officials confirmed that six bodies had been recovered and handed over to families, while 20 to 22 people were injured, many due to smoke inhalation and panic during evacuation.

However, the number of missing remains unclear.

• Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said more than 65 people were still unaccounted for
• Police sources earlier cited 38 missing
• The Gul Plaza Traders Association warned 80 to 100 people could still be trapped

Rescue workers cautioned that the unstable structure makes it difficult to access many areas safely.

Firefighters Battle Smoke, Collapsing Structure

Firefighters laboured throughout the night and into Sunday, struggling against intense heat, poor visibility, and a lack of ventilation inside the building.

According to fire officials:

• Smoke quickly filled the enclosed mall
• Narrow staircases and blocked exits slowed evacuation
• Burning materials such as carpets, blankets, plastics, and resins fuelled the flames

Sindh Police Chief Javed Alam Odho said preliminary findings pointed to an electrical fault.

“It appears to have been caused by a circuit breaker,” he said, adding that the building’s design allowed the fire to smoulder for hours.

Parts of Building Collapse as Rescue Continues

By Sunday evening, large sections of Gul Plaza had collapsed, leaving behind a twisted metal skeleton, fallen air conditioners, and shattered shop signboards strewn across the street.

Rescue workers warned the entire structure could come down, forcing teams to slow their search to avoid further casualties.

Cooling operations continued as firefighters tried to extinguish lingering hotspots buried deep within the debris.

Chaos, Anger, and Grief at the Scene

Hundreds of people gathered around the cordoned-off area, including shop owners who watched helplessly as decades of investment were reduced to ashes.

“We’ve been left high and dry — 20 years of hard work, all gone,”
— Yasmeen Bano, shop owner

Tensions flared when Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab arrived nearly 23 hours after the fire began, prompting angry chants and criticism from traders and victims’ families.

Many accused authorities of a slow response and inadequate preparedness.

Traders Allege Rescue Failures

The President of the Gul Plaza Traders Association, Tanveer Qasim, criticised emergency services, alleging serious lapses during rescue operations.

According to Qasim:

• Fire brigade teams repeatedly ran out of water and diesel
• Traders themselves rescued 200 to 250 people
• Desperate calls for help were received from people trapped inside

“These markets pay massive taxes. Where was the government when we needed them?” he asked.

Political Leaders Express Condolences

Pakistan’s top leadership expressed grief over the tragedy.

• President Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences and urged Sindh authorities to provide all possible assistance
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to ensure medical care for the injured and support affected traders
• PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for a transparent investigation and full use of provincial resources

Despite these statements, public anger remains high.

A Pattern of Deadly Fires in Karachi

The Gul Plaza fire has once again exposed Karachi’s chronic problems with fire safety enforcement.

Experts point out that many commercial buildings in the city:

• Lack proper fire exits
• Have no functional sprinklers
• Use substandard electrical wiring
• Are overcrowded with flammable goods

In November 2023, another mall fire in Karachi killed 10 people, underscoring the city’s vulnerability to such disasters.

Investigation Ordered, But Accountability Questioned

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine:

• The exact cause of the fire
• Whether safety regulations were violated
• If negligence by owners or officials played a role

However, past incidents have seen few convictions or reforms, raising doubts about whether meaningful accountability will follow.

Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Uncertainty

As of Monday morning, rescue teams continued searching the ruins, working cautiously amid fears of further collapse.

Officials warned that recovering survivors is increasingly unlikely, but vowed to continue operations until every missing person is accounted for.

For families waiting anxiously outside the wreckage, hope and despair exist side by side.

Conclusion: A Tragedy That Raises Hard Questions

The Karachi mall fire is not just a devastating accident — it is a grim reminder of systemic failures in urban safety, emergency preparedness, and governance.

As the death toll threatens to rise and families mourn both loved ones and livelihoods, the tragedy has reignited calls for strict enforcement of fire safety laws in Pakistan’s commercial hubs. Whether those calls will translate into action remains to be seen.

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Also Read: Pakistan: 10 dead, over 60 still missing in Karachi shopping mall fire, What happened at Gul Plaza?