Gul Plaza fire: Death toll rises to 14 as more bodies recovered
KARACHI: The death toll in the devastating Gul Plaza fire on MA Jinnah Road has risen to 14 after rescue teams recovered more bodies from the burnt commercial building more than 34 hours after the blaze erupted, rescue officials confirmed on Monday.
The massive fire, which broke out late Saturday night, turned into one of Karachi’s worst commercial disasters in recent years, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving the fire brigade, police, Rangers, Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).
Rescue officials said operations remain ongoing amid fears that several people may still be trapped under the rubble or inside inaccessible sections of the structure. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris, while specialised engineering teams assess the stability of the damaged building to allow safe entry.
Following the tragedy, the President of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh (APATS), Javed Qureshi, announced a three-day mourning period, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and severe financial damage suffered by traders. He also paid tribute to a firefighter who lost his life while battling the blaze and urged federal and provincial authorities to provide relief to the affected families and business community.
Traders staged protests over what they described as delays in official response, with some attempting to enter the Deputy Commissioner South’s office. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab later met trader representatives, reprimanded officials over lapses, and assured them of support and compensation measures.
Fire department officials described the blaze as unprecedented, saying flames erupted simultaneously across multiple sections of the plaza, affecting more than 1,500 shops spread over nearly 1.75 acres. Firefighters faced severe challenges due to blocked access routes, dense crowds, and the building’s fragile condition, despite adequate water supply.
Authorities said the fire alert was received at 10:26 pm, and all city fire stations were mobilised. The blaze was declared a third-degree fire. Preliminary investigations suggest a possible short circuit or double-phase electrical surge, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah confirmed that dozens of people were initially reported missing and assured that relief would be provided to victims’ families and affected traders. He ordered investigations into any negligence and directed authorities to prioritise tracing all missing persons.
Police said a helpline and missing persons desk have been established, while the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) set up a help desk at Civil Hospital Trauma Centre to assist families with identification, including DNA matching where necessary.
According to rescue officials, several injured remain in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll may rise further. Authorities continue to urge the public to cooperate with emergency teams as search and recovery operations proceed.
