The death toll from the devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping complex has risen to 14 as rescue teams continued operations after finally bringing the blaze under control following nearly 33 hours of relentless firefighting efforts.
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, 2026
Authorities said the cooling process is now underway, with rescuers cutting through windows and demolishing walls to access the badly damaged structure. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza confirmed the fatalities, adding that five of the recovered bodies were charred beyond recognition. The fire broke out late Saturday night, with dramatic visuals showing towering flames engulfing the multi-storey building as firefighters battled through the night.
I can’t write what I saw. The misery I witnessed can’t be put in words. Mothers crying for their young sons & daughters. Fathers waiting for his children bodies. Not just the bodies but recognisable dead bodies. State killed people in Gul Plaza fire. Administration killed them. pic.twitter.com/RzKElbpAeH
— Waqas انگاریہ (@WaqasAalam) January 18, 2026
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Parts of the building have collapsed, further complicating rescue work and fuelling public anger over alleged delays and shortcomings in the response. Hundreds of people gathered outside the plaza, including shop owners who watched helplessly as their livelihoods were destroyed. “We’ve been reduced to zero. Twenty years of hard work is gone,” said shopkeeper Yasmeen Bano.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan told Reuters that by the time teams arrived, the fire had already spread from the ground floor to the upper levels, engulfing almost the entire building. Officials identified some of the deceased as Kashif, Faraz, Muhammad Aamir and Furqan, while several others remain unidentified. More than a dozen people sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals.
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Authorities say dozens of people are still missing. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who arrived at the site nearly 23 hours after the blaze began, said families of at least 59 missing individuals had contacted authorities. Police have traced 26 mobile phone numbers linked to the site, with further investigations ongoing.
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, 2026
Fire officials revealed the blaze originated at a shop selling artificial flowers and pots. Narrow entry points, heavy smoke, water shortages and traffic congestion significantly hampered firefighting efforts. Traders’ leaders have criticised government incompetence, claiming losses worth billions of rupees.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has vowed transparent compensation and accountability, while the provincial government has set up multiple helplines to assist affected families as rescue operations continue.
