Desperate Search Underway After Massive Fire Ravages Karachi’s Gul Plaza

By International Affairs Correspondent

A frantic search for survivors continues in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, after a catastrophic blaze tore through the Gul Plaza shopping mall, leaving behind widespread destruction and deepening tragedy for families awaiting word of missing loved ones.

The fire erupted late on 17 January 2026 in the multistory commercial complex located on MA Jinnah Road, quickly engulfing the building that housed approximately 1,200 shops. Thick smoke and towering flames fueled by flammable merchandise such as garments, plastics and household goods complicated firefighting efforts, and parts of the structure partially collapsed as crews battled the blaze for more than 24 hours.

Rising Death Toll and Missing Persons

Initial reports confirmed several fatalities as rescue workers began probing the charred remains

• Authorities in Karachi reported that the death toll has risen to at least 14, with more bodies recovered as teams cleared debris. 

• Over 60 people remain missing, according to police and provincial officials, who said families gathered outside the site anxiously awaiting news. 

• Dozens are believed to be trapped under rubble or unaccounted for as rescue operations proceed cautiously due to structural instability. 

Officials have confirmed that at least 20 people were injured, including firefighters who were among the responders who rushed to contain the inferno. 

Cause and Response

While the exact cause remains under official investigation, early assessments by local authorities and emergency services suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit and then spread rapidly due to highly combustible materials and poor internal ventilation within the mall — factors that mirror safety concerns in many ageing commercial complexes across south Asia. 

The Sindh provincial government has pledged a formal inquiry into the incident, while hospitals across Karachi have been placed on high alert to handle injured victims and missing persons reports. 

Scenes of Grief and Frustration

Scenes near the mall’s perimeter have reflected the anguish of families and community members. Relatives of the missing have waited in the streets for hours, clutching phones and photographs, hoping for news as workers comb through rubble in dangerous conditions. 

Local residents and shop owners expressed frustration with what they described as a delayed emergency response and inadequate fire safety infrastructure, which they say contributed to the speed with which the flames overtook the building. 

A Broader Pattern of Urban Fire Risks

Karachi, like many rapidly urbanising cities in the Global South, has endured repeated fire disasters, often linked to lax enforcement of safety standards, dense construction and storage of highly flammable goods in crowded commercial districts. Recent history includes multiple deadly fires and building collapses that have highlighted systemic gaps in urban planning and enforcement. 

Economic and Human Toll

Beyond the loss of life and injury, the blaze has destroyed livelihoods. Hundreds of small traders, many of whom had run businesses at Gul Plaza for years, now face the devastation of their investments and future income. Community organisations and local charities have begun mobilising relief, but the path to recovery for affected families remains uncertain. 

This article reflects the latest confirmed reporting as of Monday 19 January 2026, tracking ongoing rescue efforts, official statements and evolving casualty figures from independent news agencies.