Newly surfaced video footage has revealed the terrifying first moments after a massive fire broke out at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. The blaze claimed dozens of lives and left scores of people missing.
The footage shows thick black smoke spreading rapidly as people run for safety. A man can be heard shouting warnings and urging others to evacuate immediately. He tells those inside to abandon their belongings and flee, saying conditions on the upper floors had become deadly.
Officials said the fire started on the mezzanine floor late Saturday night. Flames quickly spread to the ground and first floors, trapping people inside the multi-storey shopping centre. By late afternoon, authorities confirmed at least 26 deaths, while more than 70 people remained unaccounted for.
The fire burned for nearly 33 hours, severely hampering rescue operations in the congested commercial area. Firefighters said poor ventilation inside the building caused smoke to accumulate, making it difficult to locate and rescue trapped individuals.
Rescue teams faced further challenges due to narrow entrances and tightly packed pathways inside the plaza, which houses more than 1,200 shops. Parts of the structure collapsed during the inferno, forcing rescuers to break windows and demolish sections of the walls to gain access.
Murad Ali Shah said the scale of destruction was so severe that authorities may need to demolish the entire building. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, he announced financial assistance for victims’ families and outlined plans for rebuilding the market.
Read: Karachi Gul Plaza Fire: 14 Dead, Dozens Missing After 34-Hour Blaze
The Sindh government will provide Rs. 10 million in compensation to each family that lost a loved one in the fire. CM Shah said the disbursement process will begin tomorrow and assured affected traders and families of continued support.
Rescue and search operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to assess structural damage and account for missing persons. Officials have urged the public to stay clear of the site to allow emergency teams to work without obstruction.
