The Gul Plaza tragedy has left Karachi in deep mourning after a devastating fire ripped through the shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road, claiming at least 26 lives and leaving several others missing. Amid the destruction, rescue workers reported a moment that many described as extraordinary and profoundly moving.
As firefighters brought the massive blaze under control, rescue teams continued clearing debris and searching for survivors inside the charred building. During these operations, a rescuer recorded a video inside the mosque located on the first floor of Gul Plaza. The footage, which later went viral on social media, showed copies of the Holy Quran completely unharmed, despite thick smoke and intense heat in surrounding areas.
In the video, rescue personnel can be seen carefully lifting the sacred texts from a bookshelf and moving them to a safe place. According to officials, the mosque itself did not suffer any structural damage, and no individual was found trapped inside. Rescue authorities confirmed the video was recorded around 11 pm on Monday, after rumours circulated suggesting people were still inside the mosque.
A rescue official clarified that the mosque had been thoroughly checked and cleared. He stressed that although the space was filled with smoke and extreme heat, the Holy Quran copies remained untouched by flames. He also warned that the building’s structure had been severely weakened by the fire, forcing rescuers to move carefully along the mosque’s sides due to the risk of floor collapse.
Authorities urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, assuring that search and rescue operations were being carried out with full commitment and caution. Officials confirmed that 20 of the 26 victims have been identified, while efforts continue to locate those still missing.
As investigations continue and rescue operations remain ongoing, the sight of the Holy Quran remaining unharmed has resonated deeply with the public, offering a moment of reflection and faith amid one of the city’s deadliest commercial fires in recent years.
