The death toll from the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has risen to 26, while 73 people remain missing. Authorities continue search operations to locate those unaccounted for. The blaze erupted late Saturday night and spread rapidly through multiple floors of the shopping plaza.
The Sindh government’s help desk reported that three additional people were added to the missing persons list today. Many women are included among the unaccounted-for individuals. Rescue teams continue to comb through debris and collapsed sections of the building.
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Firefighters brought the blaze largely under control after 33 hours, with cooling operations still ongoing. Limited search operations inside the plaza recovered human remains, including those of a child, which were sent to the Civil Hospital Trauma Center. The building’s interior remains unstable, and several parts had already collapsed during the fire.
Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan has ruled out sabotage as a cause, stating initial investigations found no evidence of deliberate acts. Chief Fire Officer reported that the fire started in an artificial flowers and pots shop at 10:14 pm and was reported to emergency services at 10:38 pm. Rescue faced challenges due to narrow entryways, smoke-filled corridors, and water shortages.
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Despite the challenges, firefighters used foam and water to control the fire, and 90% of the blaze has now been extinguished. Authorities continue monitoring the site with 12 fire tenders, six water bowsers, and two snorcles to prevent flare-ups. Ground-floor shops have been cleared of fire, but some equipment and inventory inside remain partially burning.