A massive fire that swept through a major shopping centre in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, has claimed at least 14 lives, including that of a firefighter, as rescue teams continue to search for dozens of people still missing. The blaze, which erupted late Saturday night, took more than 24 hours to fully extinguish and has left behind a scene of devastation and uncertainty.
The fire broke out at Gul Plaza, a sprawling commercial complex housing around 1,200 shops and covering approximately 8,000 square metres. By the time firefighters reached the site, much of the building was already engulfed in flames, according to local emergency services.
Rescue officials said that parts of the structure have since collapsed, significantly complicating search and rescue operations. Debris, poor ventilation, and lingering heat inside the building are hampering efforts to locate survivors or recover bodies.
Families of the missing have gathered outside the remains of the shopping centre, anxiously waiting for updates. Authorities say 58 people have so far been reported missing. City administrators have established a registration desk near the site to collect names and details of those unaccounted for.
Smoke continued to rise from the wreckage on Sunday morning, and officials warned that further collapse of the structure remains a serious risk. By Sunday evening, large sections of Gul Plaza had been reduced to charred rubble, prompting fears among rescuers that the entire building could still come down.
Hassan Khan, spokesperson for Rescue 1122 in Karachi, told BBC Urdu that the fire spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials inside the building. “Items such as plastic foam, cloth, and perfume accelerated the spread of the fire,” he said, explaining why the blaze quickly spiralled out of control.
Cranes have now been deployed to remove debris from the partially collapsed structure in an attempt to access areas where victims may be trapped. However, rescue teams are being forced to proceed cautiously. Officials said they are waiting for the building to cool down further before conducting a comprehensive search, as extreme heat and instability continue to pose serious dangers.
According to a police official, at least 26 of the missing individuals were last detected inside the building based on mobile phone location data. This has raised fears that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the fire broke out. Zain, a shopkeeper at Gul Plaza, told BBC Urdu that hundreds of people were inside the building at the time. “My shops were burning before my eyes. We couldn’t even get the goods out,” he said. “There are still many people inside. I have many friends who are out of contact.”
Another onlooker said shopkeepers initially attempted to contain the fire using extinguishers, but the blaze quickly became too intense to control.
The tragedy has prompted reactions at the highest level of government. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and directed the Sindh provincial government to conduct a comprehensive review of safety arrangements in commercial and residential buildings across Karachi.
As rescue teams continue their grim task, the incident has once again raised serious questions about fire safety standards, building regulations, and emergency preparedness in Pakistan’s commercial hubs. For now, families wait in anguish, hoping for news of their loved ones as the search continues amid the ruins of Gul Plaza.
