KARACHI, Pakistan: At least 26 people have been confirmed dead and 73 remain missing after a massive fire ripped through a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub and largest port city, officials said on Monday.
Rescue workers recovered two more bodies, including that of a child, from Karachi’s Gul Plaza on Monday, raising the death toll from the deadly inferno to 26.
The number of those missing in the incident has also risen to 73 after three more names were added to the list, said the help desk established by the Sindh government.
The fire started late on Saturday at the sprawling, multi-storey Gul Plaza shopping centre in the city’s business district and burned for more than 24 hours, hampering rescue efforts in the densely packed area.
After more than 24 hours of firefighting, crews moved to cooling and debris-clearing, although concerns grew that more victims could still be trapped inside.
Firefighters said the lack of ventilation in the building, which houses more than 1,200 shops, caused thick smoke to fill the mall and slowed efforts to reach people trapped inside.
The inferno left parts of the building collapsed amid uproar over alleged shortcomings in the authorities’ response, with rescuers making way into the building by cutting windows and demolishing walls with hammers.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said 15 bodies had so far been recovered from the blaze at Gul Plaza.
Firefighters have entered the building from three different points and are operating under extremely dangerous conditions, Shah said. One firefighter was killed during the operation, prompting expressions of deep sorrow from provincial authorities.
The chief minister noted that the fallen firefighter’s father had also served in the same profession, describing the loss as a profound sacrifice.
Rescue teams began preparing for an extensive search operation after the flames were brought under control, though officials warned the effort could take considerable time due to the structure’s fragile condition. Several bodies and human remains were recovered overnight as rescuers gained limited access to the gutted Gul Plaza shopping center.
Karachi’s chief fire officer said cooling operations were ongoing and that the building had been declared structurally unsafe following partial collapses. Rescue workers were cutting through walls and windows to enter the premises.
The fire reportedly started late Saturday night in an artificial flower shop on the ground floor and rapidly spread through the multi-storey mall, which houses around 1,200 shops. Poor ventilation, sealed windows and the absence of emergency exits severely hampered firefighting and rescue efforts, officials said.
More than 150 firefighters, supported by 22 fire tenders, snorkels, water bowsers and ambulances, were deployed. Additional assistance came from Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Navy and Rangers. Thermal cameras were installed to help locate possible victims.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and senior provincial officials visited the site, expressing grief over the loss of life and pledging transparent compensation for affected families and traders. Shah ordered a probe into the incident and directed strict enforcement of fire safety laws across commercial buildings.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari separately conveyed condolences and assured full support for ongoing rescue operations, while paying tribute to a firefighter who lost his life battling the flames.
Authorities have established a government helpline to assist families seeking information about missing persons. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
