A devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping centre has left the city in shock, raising serious concerns about building safety, emergency preparedness, and accountability.
Fire Brought Under Control but Building Declared Unsafe
After nearly 36 hours of continuous firefighting, authorities have brought the massive fire at Gul Plaza, located on MA Jinnah Road, under control. However, officials have declared the multi-storey commercial building extremely dangerous, warning that it could collapse at any moment. As a result, firefighting operations have been halted, and rescue teams have shifted their focus to debris removal under strict safety measures.
According to Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed, although the main blaze has been extinguished, the structure has been severely damaged. Earlier, flames were still visible on the ground and second floors at the rear of the building, indicating the intensity of the fire.
Casualties and Missing Persons
The death toll from the tragic incident has risen to at least 14, including a firefighter who lost his life when part of the building’s rear structure collapsed. Rescue officials confirmed that body parts of five more victims, including a child, were recovered from the debris. Authorities estimate that between 54 and 59 people are still missing.
Police and rescue teams are using mobile phone data to trace missing individuals and have contacted families to gather further information. A dedicated police helpline has also been established on the orders of the Sindh government to assist relatives searching for loved ones.
Injuries and Medical Response
Around 30 people sustained injuries due to burns or smoke inhalation. The injured were taken to Jinnah Hospital, the burns centre, and trauma units across the city. Two firefighters were among the injured and are currently receiving treatment at PNS Shifa Hospital. Several victims were discharged after receiving first aid.
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Government Response and Ongoing Investigation
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the site and assured traders and affected families of maximum relief and compensation. He stated that the first fire tender arrived at 10:27pm on Saturday, and a total of 26 fire tenders, four snorkels, and 10 water bowsers participated in the operation.
Gul Plaza reportedly housed more than 1,000 shops across a basement, ground floor, and three upper floors. While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, initial reports suggest it may have started due to a short circuit in a shop containing highly flammable material.
Calls for Accountability and Legal Action
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident, questioning fire safety arrangements, emergency exits, and the preparedness of firefighting teams. Meanwhile, petitions have been filed in the Sindh High Court, and the matter has been raised in the Sindh Assembly, with strong calls for accountability if negligence is proven.
Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise further as debris removal continues and investigations progress.
