A devastating fire broke out at Gul Plaza, a major wholesale shopping centre on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi, on the night of January 17, 2026 (around 10:30–10:38 PM PKT). The blaze raged for over 24–36 hours before being brought under control, leaving parts of the multi-storey building collapsed and gutted.
Flames engulf Gul Plaza shopping centre (Photo: Reuters / Stringer, January 18, 2026)
Latest Casualty & Missing Figures
- Death toll: Reports vary between 6–14 (including at least one firefighter). Several sources confirmed the number rose to 10 late on January 18–19 as more bodies were recovered.
- Injured: At least 20–30 people, including rescue personnel.
- Missing: Around 58–65 people still unaccounted for (figures reported by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, rescue officials, and provincial authorities). Search operations continue.
How the Fire Started & Spread
The fire reportedly began in ground-floor shops, possibly due to a short circuit. It spread rapidly through the densely packed 8,000+ sqm building, which housed ~1,200 shops selling garments, cosmetics, plastic goods, home decor, toys, and electronics — all highly flammable materials.
Parts of the structure collapsed after hours of intense burning, severely hampering rescue efforts and raising fears that additional people (including possibly rescue workers) may be trapped under debris.
Rubble and collapsed structure at Gul Plaza (Dawn News photo, January 18–19, 2026)
Response & Official Statements
- Firefighters battled the blaze for over 24 hours; cooling operations are ongoing.
- Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site and confirmed casualty/missing figures.
- Criticism has emerged over delayed government response, inadequate fire safety measures in the building, and lack of proper firefighting resources (Dawn, January 19).
- An inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause and assess negligence.
Heartbreaking Scenes
Families have gathered outside the site, many in tears, holding onto final phone messages from loved ones trapped inside. Reports mention entire families (including children and a 14-year-old girl) missing after shopping for wedding items.
