KARACHI: The death toll from a devastating fire at a major shopping mall in Pakistan’s largest city rose to 28 on Tuesday, as rescue teams continued a painstaking search for dozens of people still reported missing, officials said.
The blaze broke out late on Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping complex on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi’s commercial district.
The fire raged for more than 24 hours and caused parts of the building to collapse, making rescue efforts slow and hazardous.
Rescue officials said at least 81 people were reported missing, though authorities warned that some names were duplicated and verification was ongoing.
Rescue 1122 said 28 bodies had been recovered so far. Seven bodies have been handed over to families, while 21 remain at the morgue awaiting identification through DNA testing.
Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said that 28 bodies had been brought to the Civil Hospital Karachi.
She said DNA samples from at least 50 families had been collected for profiling and cross-matching.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) City Arif Aziz said only fatalities confirmed through DNA matching and legal procedures would be officially recorded.
He said 13 bodies had so far completed the required legal process.
Karachi’s worst fire in decade
Gul Plaza was a ground-plus-three-storey building housing around 1,200 shops spread over approximately 8,000 square yards. Officials described the fire as the city’s worst in more than a decade.
“The intensity of the fire was extremely high,” Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi told reporters. “I have never seen such a fire in my life.”
Firefighters said the main blaze had been extinguished, but cooling operations were continuing. Smoke was still rising from parts of the rubble on Tuesday.
Rescue teams were using heavy machinery and working in low visibility conditions, relying on torches due to darkness inside the building.
Authorities said the structure was severely damaged and at risk of collapse.
Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh said multiple search operations were under way at five identified points.
A specialised team was focused on cooling and fire suppression to keep the site safe.
Officials temporarily halted operations in some areas after hearing cracking sounds, fearing further collapse.
Missing persons and rescue efforts
South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza said mobile phone data showed that at least 38 of more than 65 initially reported missing people were last traced to Gul Plaza.
Families of more than 70 missing persons have approached the district administration, officials said.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the fire had been brought under control through joint efforts by the district administration, rescue agencies and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
He said rescue teams were clearing debris and searching the basement and upper floors. “All departments of the KMC will remain on high alert until all missing persons are traced,” he said.
Wahab added that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had begun action based on KMC fire safety audits.
A letter listing non-compliant buildings has been sent to the Association of Builders and Developers, asking members to address safety deficiencies within three days.
Based on KMC’s fire safety audit of various buildings, SBCA has started to take action. Letter with a list of non compliant buildings has been sent to ABAD. Today visit of 6 buildings in Districts East & South is also being undertaken pic.twitter.com/Y0hx5IdywM
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) January 20, 2026
Political and business reactions
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori met traders affected by the fire and called for compensation and accountability.
He welcomed the provincial government’s announcement of 10 million rupees in compensation for each victim’s family.
“This money taken to ignore safety measures is payment for murder, not bribery,” Tessori said, criticising lax enforcement of safety rules.
Business leader Jawed Bilwani said traders would prioritise helping victims and affected families before assigning blame.
Police said recovered merchandise was being shifted to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation ground for safekeeping. Items will be returned to owners after verification.
Authorities have also removed vehicles trapped on the roof using cranes.
Officials said more than 30 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, had been safely recovered.
An official inquiry committee has begun collecting evidence to determine the cause of the fire and assess any criminal negligence.
“If any negligence is found, strict action will be taken,” Commissioner Naqvi said.
