The deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has finally been brought under control after nearly 33 hours of intense firefighting, but the tragedy continues to unfold as the death toll has risen to 14. Rescue teams are now expanding search operations inside the severely damaged shopping complex to locate missing persons, amid growing anger over an allegedly delayed official response.
According to authorities, large sections of Gul Plaza collapsed during the blaze, forcing rescuers to cut through windows and demolish walls using heavy tools to access trapped areas. Deputy Inspector General South Asad Raza confirmed the fatalities, adding that five recovered bodies remain unidentifiable due to extensive burns.
The fire erupted late Saturday night, rapidly spreading from the ground floor to upper levels, engulfing most of the building. Rescue officials stated that when firefighters arrived, the structure was already fully ablaze, making containment extremely difficult. Dozens of shop owners gathered outside, watching helplessly as years of investment were reduced to ashes. One trader, Yasmeen Bano, said her two decades of hard work were completely destroyed.
Rescue operations continued under hazardous conditions, as officials warned that the building’s structure remains unsafe. Firefighters conducted brief inspections in relatively secure areas before exiting immediately to avoid further collapses.
Authorities revealed that nearly 65 people were initially reported missing, while police confirmed that families of 59 individuals have contacted officials. Using mobile phone tracking, 26 numbers were traced to the site, with investigations ongoing to determine the whereabouts of others.
Fire brigade officials disclosed that the blaze originated from a shop selling artificial flowers and pots at around 10:14 pm. Rescue 1122 received the alert 24 minutes later, and fire tenders arrived shortly after. However, narrow entry points, thick smoke, water shortages, traffic congestion, and crowd control issues significantly hampered firefighting efforts.
Currently, 12 fire tenders, six water bowsers, and two snorkels remain deployed as the cooling process and debris clearance continue at the site.
