Devastating Gul Plaza Fire in Karachi | Rescue Teams Clearing Basement
The Karachi Gul Plaza fire has emerged as one of the deadliest commercial building disasters in recent Pakistani history. On Saturday night, January 17, 2026, a catastrophic blaze erupted at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall on M.A. Jinnah Road housing over 1,200 shops. Emergency response teams have been battling the aftermath of this blaze for days as firefighters and rescuers work around the clock to locate missing people and recover bodies amid unstable, smoldering rubble.
According to the latest local reports, rescue teams have now entered the basement of Gul Plaza, where debris has been cleared in ongoing efforts to find survivors or recover bodies, as large cranes and heavy machinery continue to work around the clock.
Fire’s origin spread and initial response
The fire is believed to have started late Saturday evening due to an electrical fault or short circuit at the ground floor, a point that authorities are still investigating. Flames quickly spread through the tightly packed structure — one filled with flammable materials such as clothing, plastics, and household goods — and swept up multiple floors within minutes.
Firefighters from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and Rescue 1122 battled the inferno for over 36 hours, eventually dousing most of the blaze but still contending with stubborn pockets of hot spots and structural instability that make access deeply dangerous.
Casualties missing persons & ongoing search efforts
Officials have confirmed a growing number of fatalities, with more than 20 bodies retrieved from the debris so far, and dozens still unaccounted for. Authorities say victims’ remains are being processed for identification, including through DNA testing, as many bodies have been recovered in dismembered form due to the severity of the fire.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab has stated that rescue teams remain on “high alert” until all missing persons are accounted for, and that the basement search operations are a priority to ensure no survivors remain trapped.
While exact figures vary between news outlets, local authorities and international news agencies report that dozens of people — possibly more than 60 — are still missing, indicating that the final death toll may continue to rise as the search progresses.
Official government involvement & compensation packages
The Sindh provincial government has dispatched senior ministers and provincial officials to coordinate rescue operations and provide support to the families of victims. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon confirmed that the blaze has been brought fully under control and that the rescue and cooling operations are moving ahead uninterrupted.
In addition, authorities have announced compensation packages for families of the deceased, and an inquiry committee has been established to investigate the causes of the fire and response timeline.
Criticism, accountability & safety concerns
Public sentiment has been mixed and deeply emotional. Many families and witnesses have criticised what they see as a delayed emergency response and poor fire safety standards within the mall. Locked exits, lack of ventilation, and insufficient fire exits appear to have trapped many victims inside the building, complicating rescue missions and contributing to higher casualties.
Lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly have voiced strong opinions about the tragedy, with opposition members questioning the government’s preparedness and accountability measures.
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has also weighed in, stating that the plaza’s owner may have violated the approved building plan, raising further questions about regulatory enforcement and construction compliance.
Human impact | Shocked families and mourning communities
Scenes outside the burning plaza — relatives waiting anxiously for news, families exchanging messages and searching for loved ones in hospitals and morgues — have highlighted the emotional toll this disaster has inflicted on Karachi’s communities. Local traders have reported billions of rupees in losses as shops were destroyed, and the broader business community has called for urgent support and rehabilitation planning.
In the wake of the blaze, markets across the city observed moments of mourning, with shopkeepers and citizens paying their respects to victims and pressing for stronger oversight of fire safety protocols.
What comes next | investigations & rebuilding
An official inquiry committee, including representatives from government and safety authorities, will examine the root causes of the fire, possible negligence, and steps needed to strengthen fire safety standards in commercial buildings across Pakistan.
This tragic event reignites a nationwide discussion on building safety, emergency preparedness, and the enforcement of fire codes in densely populated urban areas — crucial lessons to prevent future disasters.
