The tragedy of the Gul Plaza fire deepened on Wednesday after rescue teams recovered at least 30 bodies from a single shop on the mezzanine floor, pushing the death toll to 60. Dozens of people remain missing, making it the city’s deadliest fire in more than a decade.
Rescue teams made the discovery after shifting their search from the first and second floors to the mezzanine level. Authorities had briefly paused operations on the lower floors to allow access to the area.
DIG South Syed Asad Raza said all 30 bodies were found inside one crockery shop on the mezzanine floor. He confirmed that earlier estimates of 20 to 25 victims proved inaccurate once teams completed the search.
Dozens are dead, over 50 missing, and the fire is still not fully under control. The blaze at Karachi’s Gul Plaza mall, linked directly or indirectly to Dawood Ibrahim’s family, has sent shockwaves. A newly hired peon in the mall admin dept is suspected & has fled Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/npuU8cNecz
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) January 19, 2026With the latest recovery, the confirmed death toll from the inferno rose to 60. DIG Raza said authorities would move the operation into its next phase after transporting the bodies to Civil Hospital Karachi.
Following the discovery, police formed a special team to transfer the bodies. Rescue personnel, including Rescue 1122, Edhi Foundation, Pakistan Rangers, and Chhipa Welfare Association, withdrew from the building as ambulances lined up for the transfer.
Police cordoned off the area and deployed additional personnel to manage the operation. Authorities said they could not yet confirm whether the victims were shopkeepers, workers, or customers.
At least 30 bodies found at single shop as rescuers comb through wreckage of Karachi’s Gul Plaza, death toll rises to 60 #karachigullplaza https://t.co/2ADlv9Mb8v pic.twitter.com/ljds2lDqev
— Gulf Today (@gulftoday) January 21, 2026Earlier in the day, teams focused on the third floor. Around 2pm, officials redirected efforts to the mezzanine floor after receiving new information. Shop No. 144, where the bodies were found, was identified with the help of a shopkeeper who saw people enter the premises during the fire.
Read: SBCA Seals Rimpa Plaza After Deadly Gul Plaza Fire in Karachi
Officials believe the victims took shelter inside the shop after panic and a stampede broke out in the mall’s early moments. Many people sought refuge in shops, corners, and under sheds, as several exits remained closed when the fire erupted.
To reach the mezzanine level, authorities temporarily halted the use of water bowsers and heavy machinery on the first and second floors.
The Karachi South deputy commissioner said several sections of the building remain uncleared. He added that rescue operations in those areas would resume later in the day as teams continue searching for the missing.
