KARACHI: At least six people have died and dozens remain missing after a massive fire tore through Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall, with firefighters battling the inferno for more than 20 hours amid repeated flare-ups and partial building collapses.
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Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the site on Sunday evening to review rescue and firefighting operations. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive economic damage, he said that around 58 to 60 people were still unaccounted for and assured that affected families and traders would be compensated in a transparent manner.
The third-degree fire reportedly erupted late Saturday night in an artificial flower shop on the ground floor of the multi-storey complex, which houses over 1,200 shops. Due to poor ventilation, sealed windows and the presence of highly flammable materials, smoke quickly filled the building, severely hampering rescue efforts.
Officials said 60 to 70 per cent of the blaze has been brought under control, but cooling operations cannot begin until the fire is fully extinguished. Firefighters reported hearing parts of the structure collapsing, raising fears that the entire building could give way.
Rescue officials confirmed that six people, including firefighter Furqan from the Nazimabad Fire Office, lost their lives, while at least 22 others were injured and shifted to the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital Karachi. Several victims remain unidentified, and authorities fear more people may still be trapped inside.
More than 150 firefighters are involved in the operation, supported by 22 fire tenders, 10 water bowsers, four snorkels and 33 ambulances. Pakistan Navy firefighters, Rescue 1122, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation teams and Sindh Rangers are also assisting in rescue efforts.
Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun said the building lacked an internal firefighting system and emergency exits, calling the incident unprecedented in his 37-year career. He said the cause of the fire remains undetermined, though a short circuit or electrical fault could not be ruled out.
The rear portion of the building has collapsed, and the front section has also partially caved in, making internal search operations extremely risky. Authorities said a full search will only be conducted once the fire is completely under control.
The Sindh government has established helplines to assist families searching for missing relatives, while additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain order and keep access routes clear for emergency services.
Reacting to the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and directed authorities to provide all possible assistance to victims. The chief minister ordered a formal inquiry into the incident and directed strict enforcement of fire safety laws, including immediate fire safety audits of commercial buildings across Karachi.
