- Web Desk
- Feb 09, 2026
Gul Plaza tragedy: death toll rises to 27, 85 still missing
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- Web Desk
- Jan 20, 2026
KARACHI: The death toll from the Gul Plaza shopping mall fire has risen to 27, while 85 people remain missing, authorities said on Tuesday.
Rescue teams continue to clear debris in search of the missing.
The fire broke out late Saturday night at the shopping plaza on MA Jinnah Road, causing roughly 40 per cent of the building to collapse.
Police surgeon Dr.Summaiya Syed Tariq confirmed the death toll and said post-mortems on all victims have been completed.
She said that 33-year-old Misbah was identified through a necklace she was wearing, while four other members of her family remain missing. So far, a total of eight bodies have been identified, she said.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khosa said 40 per cent of the building had collapsed, and experts from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) warned that the remaining sections were structurally weak. He urged traders to cooperate and stay away from the Red Zone.
Khosa said rescue teams would resume searches inside the building. Of the 83 names on the missing persons list, after removing duplicates, 75 people have been confirmed missing, while the locations of 39 individuals have been traced.
He said that the SBCA demolition team was assisting with the operation.
Deputy Commissioner Khosa said rescue workers were sent to the third and fourth floors for a detailed survey but initially found no bodies. The left side of the building is believed to contain more victims. Vehicles on the roof have been safely removed, and some motorcycles are also being cleared.
Khosa said early attempts to enter the building 15–20 minutes after the fire broke out were hampered by intense flames. Rescue teams managed to save some people, though several rescuers were injured. A total of 32 attempts were made to enter the building amid the high fire intensity.
Deputy Commissioner Khosa said that the SBCA team will decide whether to demolish the building after the rescue operation is complete. Clearing debris is under way, and authorities are prioritizing locating missing persons.
Rescue teams enter building after 40 hours
Rescue teams finally entered the building 40 hours after the fire broke out to search for missing persons. Operations on the first floor have been completed, while the search continues on the second floor. Fire flared up again during the operation but was brought under control by fire brigade vehicles. Teams are using torches to navigate the darkness, and human remains are being recovered continuously.
Mayor Karachi visits site
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab visited the site late at night to oversee the rescue operation. He instructed authorities to complete the search and speed up rescue efforts, emphasizing that all departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will remain on alert until all missing persons are accounted for.
Wahab expressed grief and assured full support to affected families.
Clearance operation under way
Under the mayor’s direction, heavy machinery was deployed to remove vehicles from the building’s rooftop. So far, 32 vehicles have been safely brought down, including 16 cars, four Suzukis, 12 motorcycles, and one rickshaw. All vehicles have been returned to their owners.
Casualties and missing persons
Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi said that 26 bodies have been recovered, 13 of which have been identified. DNA testing will help confirm the identities of the remaining victims. He added that 75 people are currently reported missing. The commissioner described the fire as intense and unprecedented, and said an inquiry committee has been formed to collect evidence.
Incidents during rescue
A shopkeeper attempted to use an excavator and drilling machine to reach his shop, but authorities stopped him over safety concerns.
A survivor, Khalid, recounted struggling through smoke and darkness before managing to exit the building, though he lost consciousness in the process. He confirmed that two of his brothers, a cousin from Quetta, and several employees were inside the building at the time.
According to Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh, three simultaneous search operations are under way at five designated points. Heavy machinery is being used to clear debris, while fire-fighting and cooling operations continue to maintain a safe environment, he said.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said that the main fire has been extinguished, with cooling efforts ongoing. He warned that debris clearance may take 15–17 days due to the building’s unstable structure. So far, one woman and the remaining victims, all men, have been recovered, while unidentifiable bodies have been sent to Edhi morgue.
Casualties and Injuries
Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi confirmed that 26 bodies have been recovered, 13 identified, with DNA testing underway for the rest.
He said 75 people remain missing. DI South Asad Raza said initial reports listed 59 missing; authorities obtained mobile contacts for all. Thirty injured individuals, including two firefighters, are receiving treatment at city hospitals.
Among the deceased are Kashif, Faraz, Muhammad Amir, and Farqan, while injured include Haseeb, Wasim, Daniyal, Sadiq, Hamza, Rahim, Fahad, Jawad, Iyan, Abdullah, Usman, Zain, Nadir, and others.
Public Appeals
Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi said that families of more than 55 missing persons have contacted the foundation. He praised firefighters risking their lives and urged the public to cooperate with authorities and stay away from the building.
Government Response
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah visited the site, assuring relief for traders and support for affected families. He said the building, a basement plus three floors housing around 1,000 shops, caught fire after 10:00 pm Saturday. Over 26 fire tenders, four snorkels, 10 water bowsers, the Pakistan Navy, and the Civil Aviation Authority joined the response.
Six people, including a KMC firefighter, have died, while 22 others were injured. The CM said over 58–60 people remain missing. He confirmed compensation would be provided to affected traders and emphasized that trained KMC and 1122 teams are handling operations.
DIG South Update
DIG South reported the fire as third-degree. He said that police, security agencies, and rescue teams are engaged in operations, with a helpline established for families. Six bodies have been handed over to relatives, and 22 injured are under treatment. He said Gul Plaza had 1,200 shops, and police have deployed additional personnel to clear paths for rescue teams.
Fire Brigade Efforts
According to officials, more than 20 fire brigade vehicles participated in the operation. One firefighter died when part of the building collapsed. Snorkels are being used to rescue trapped individuals. The fire reached the third floor and basement, leaving the building at risk of further collapse.
CPLC Help Desk
The Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) set up a help desk outside the Trauma Center for families to report missing members. DNA testing will identify bodies, with 40 people already registered.
Visits by Officials
Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori visited the site and held a meeting with affected traders and reviewed the ongoing operation.
Political Reactions
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and financial damage, offering condolences to families and directing authorities to use all resources for rescue and relief.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal offered federal assistance for rescue and relief operations and urged immediate medical care for the injured.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Owais Qadir Shah and Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi also expressed condolences, describing the incident as a tragedy. Khurshidi attended the funeral of the fallen firefighter and called for expedited rescue operations and full support to victims.
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