Karachi Mall Blaze Claims Around 50 Lives, Rescue Efforts Continue

Post by : Saif Nasser

A devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall has claimed the lives of around 50 people, officials said Wednesday, as rescue teams continue to search the rubble. The blaze, which began late Saturday, is now considered the city’s deadliest in more than a decade.

The fire spread quickly through the sprawling mall, which housed over 1,200 small, family-owned shops selling wedding clothes, toys, kitchenware, and other goods. Thick smoke and intense flames trapped many shoppers and staff inside.

Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said rescue teams recovered 20 to 25 bodies from the debris on Wednesday. “These remains have been sent to hospitals for DNA testing,” he said, noting that confirming the exact number of deaths remains challenging. Earlier reports had placed the toll at 29.

Firefighters had battled the blaze for days before finally bringing it under control on Tuesday. The mall, once a busy commercial hub, is now reduced to ashes, charred metal, and rubble.

At least 84 people were reported missing following the fire. Police fear most of them may have died, meaning the death toll could rise further. Relatives and residents gathered near the site, lighting candles and holding photos of loved ones as they mourned the victims.

Shopkeepers described the scene as heartbreaking. Rehmat Khan, a trader, said 18 to 20 people were in his shop, including six employees, when the fire erupted. “All of them are missing,” he said, adding that the incident has caused immense personal and financial loss.

This tragedy once again highlights major fire safety concerns in Karachi’s commercial areas. Many older markets lack proper fire exits, alarms, and emergency systems, leaving people vulnerable.

Gul Plaza’s fire is the deadliest in Karachi since 2012, when a fire at an industrial site killed over 260 people. Authorities have promised investigations to determine the cause and whether better safety measures could have saved lives.