Karachi: The catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza required over 33 hours before responders could bring the situation under control. The disaster left a harrowing toll, claiming 14 lives and injuring 30 others, with at least 11 reported in critical condition. Many individuals believed to have been trapped remain unaccounted for. Igniting late Saturday night, the blaze caused significant structural damage to the building and led to a partial collapse.
Firefighters, aided by the Pakistan Navy, Sindh Rangers, and Rescue 1122 teams, initiated cooling operations amidst the destroyed remains of Gul Plaza’s structure. Zafar Khan, Operational In-Charge of the Fire Brigade, confirmed that the fire was under control and pointed to inadequate ventilation inside the mall—comprising over 1,200 shops—as a major factor causing smoke entrapment and complicating rescue attempts.
Sindh police chief Javed Alam Odho indicated that the fire likely originated due to a circuit breaker malfunction. Items inside the building, including carpets, blankets, and resin-based goods, significantly accelerated the fire’s spread and obstructed extinguishing operations. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab later disclosed that as many as 65 people were still missing.
As flames escalated late Saturday night, reports of the blaze were noted at 10:38 pm local time. The fire initially engulfed ground-floor shops at the multi-story shopping complex and rapidly spread to upper levels. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassan ul Haseeb Khan confirmed its swift progression, stating that much of the mall had already been consumed by the time responders reached the site.
Well into Sunday night, firefighting teams continued their battle against the unforgiving blaze. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah revealed eight fatalities and emphasized that over 58 individuals remained unaccounted for. During his visit to Gul Plaza, Shah condemned attempts by certain groups to politicize the tragedy and assured traders that transparent compensation would be provided to those affected. He also described his coordination efforts with key officials after learning of the incident.
Shah recalled past federal relief interventions following fires at Bolton Market and Timber Market, underscoring these precedents as models for providing timely aid to small traders impacted by such events. He pledged financial assistance to help mitigate losses incurred by those affected.
Meanwhile, traders voiced their anguish over slow firefighting responses that led to extensive property damage estimated in billions and tragic loss of life. Tanvir Pasta, head of the traders’ association, shared concerns over ineffective emergency measures. He reported that although most customers managed to escape, an estimated 80 to 100 shopkeepers and staff were believed trapped within the plaza. Pasta also raised alarms about potential risks of further structural collapse, citing damage from prolonged exposure to flames.
While the lower floors along M.A Jinnah Road bore the brunt of the conflagration initially, the fire expanded rapidly to other parts of the building. Preliminary investigations revealed suffocation and stampedes as leading causes of fatalities. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed authorities to clear access routes for firefighting vehicles and rescue teams responding to the crisis.
A fleet of over a dozen firefighting vehicles tackled intensifying flames before reinforcements pushed their numbers up to 14 as operations continued. Evacuations were carried out alongside efforts to transfer injured individuals to medical facilities. Among those identified were victims named Aamir, Asif, and Faraz, with many critical cases still under medical care.
Numerous rescue personnel confirmed that people remained stranded within various sections of the compromised building while others had fled to its roof seeking safety. The sheer scale of evacuation and firefighting challenges was compounded by Gul Plaza’s layout, which housed over 1,000 shops.
As authorities advance investigations into this disaster and conclude operations at the site, significant attention has turned toward inadequacies in preventive safety measures. Traders continue to demand meaningful action to address longstanding vulnerabilities and prevent future catastrophes of this nature.
