Karachi Mall Fire Death Toll Rises to 11 as Search Continues for Missing

Post by : Saif

A devastating fire at a busy shopping mall in Karachi has turned into one of the city’s most painful tragedies in recent years. The death toll from the massive blaze at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre has climbed to 11, while more than 60 people are still missing, according to local authorities.

The fire broke out late on Saturday night in Gul Plaza, a large, multi-storey mall located in Karachi’s crowded business district. The building houses more than 1,200 shops and is usually packed with traders, workers, and customers. By the time firefighters reached the scene, flames had already spread from the ground floor to the upper levels.

Firefighting efforts continued for more than 24 hours. Thick smoke filled the building, making it extremely difficult for rescue teams to enter and search for trapped people. Firefighters said the lack of proper ventilation caused smoke to spread quickly, cutting off escape routes and slowing rescue operations.

On Sunday, once the flames were mostly under control, crews moved into cooling and debris-clearing operations. However, the situation remained dangerous. Large parts of the mall collapsed, leaving piles of twisted metal, broken concrete, fallen air-conditioning units, and shop signboards scattered across nearby roads. Rescue workers warned that the remaining structure is unstable and could collapse further at any time.

Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed that the number of people who lost their lives has risen to 11. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that more than 60 people are still unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could increase.

Sindh police chief Javed Alam Odho said early investigations suggest the fire may have started due to a faulty circuit breaker. He explained that the building’s design, narrow passages, and flammable items such as carpets and blankets allowed the fire to spread and continue smouldering for hours.

Rescue officials said they received the first emergency call at 10:38 p.m. on Saturday. Witnesses and shopkeepers told local media that the response was slow and that firefighters struggled with shortages of water and equipment in the early hours. Many traders expressed anger and grief, saying that their shops — built over decades of hard work — were destroyed in a single night.

The tragedy has once again highlighted serious concerns about fire safety in commercial buildings across Karachi. Poor electrical systems, blocked exits, and weak enforcement of safety rules have led to similar disasters in the past. Each time, promises of reform are made, but deadly fires continue to occur.

As families wait anxiously for news of missing loved ones, the focus remains on rescue and recovery. At the same time, there is growing public demand for accountability and strict action to ensure such disasters are not repeated.

The Gul Plaza fire is not just a tragic accident. It is a reminder that lives are lost when safety rules are ignored and emergency systems fail. Real change is needed — not after the next fire, but now.

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