The death toll from the massive fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi has risen to 14 after rescue teams recovered another body following 34 hours of continuous operations. Officials said the search remains underway amid fears that more people may still be trapped inside the damaged structure.
A large blaze erupted late Saturday night and quickly engulfed the commercial plaza, prompting a major emergency response. Firefighters, police, Rangers, and rescue teams rushed to the site as flames spread across multiple sections of the building. Authorities later classified the incident as a third-degree fire.
Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun Khan confirmed that firefighters brought the blaze under control after 34 hours. Cooling operations continue due to lingering hotspots. He said 59 people remain unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
The fire started on Saturday night at 10:15 PM in an artificial flower shop on the ground floor of Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, and by Sunday afternoon at least six people were confirmed dead, including a firefighter named Furqan, while somewhere between 80 and 100 people were… pic.twitter.com/pHjebZnAlN
— brief. (@brief_pk) January 18, 2026Rescue officials said difficult access, blocked entry points, and partial structural collapse slowed firefighting efforts. One firefighter lost his life during the operation, a loss that authorities and traders described as deeply tragic.
The business community announced three days of mourning. All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh president Javed Qureshi urged the federal and provincial governments to provide relief to affected traders and families. Business leader Jamil Paracha also called for compensation and accountability.
To speed up recovery efforts, the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Works Organisation deployed heavy machinery and specialised teams. Officials said engineers are assessing the building to allow safer entry for rescue workers.
Six people died in a fire at Gul Plaza on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road. The fire could not be brought under control even after several hours. Several parts of Gul Plaza collapsed due to the intensity of the fire.
A fire broke out on the ground floor of Gul Plaza at around 10:15 pm pic.twitter.com/nJITrGu3xY
— Hamdan News (@HamdanWahe57839) January 18, 2026Rescue 1122 teams have entered the plaza and begun systematic searches inside burnt shops, especially in the front portion of the building. Authorities said teams are proceeding with extreme caution due to the weakened structure.
Traders staged protests over what they described as delays in official response. Murtaza Wahab later met trader representatives at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and directed officials to address any lapses in response and relief.
Read: Gul Plaza Fire & Collapse: K-Electric’s Response and Rescue Operations
Fire department officials described the blaze as one of the most challenging Karachi has faced. Flames erupted in multiple areas at once, affecting more than 1,200 shops spread over roughly 1.75 acres. Emergency routes remained blocked for hours due to crowds, despite an adequate water supply.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Initial assessments suggest a possible short circuit or electrical surge, but officials said they will share conclusions after a full inquiry.
Tragic Fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Karachi
A devastating fire erupted late Saturday night (January 17, 2026) at Gul Plaza, a major multistory commercial hub on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan's bustling economic center. The blaze started around 10 p.m. local time,… pic.twitter.com/UzsYUFRU1c
— Guɲŧher (@GUNXHER) January 17, 2026Murad Ali Shah said authorities are prioritising the recovery of missing persons and will provide relief to families and traders. He added that officials will investigate any negligence in emergency response.
Authorities have released a preliminary list of missing persons and set up helplines to assist families. The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee has also established a help desk at Civil Hospital to support victim identification, including DNA matching if required.
Rescue operations continue as officials warn that conditions inside the building remain dangerous. They urged the public to cooperate and allow emergency teams to work without obstruction
