A devastating fire has ripped through a multi-storey shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, resulting in the confirmed deaths of at least three individuals and leaving approximately a dozen others injured. Emergency services fought through the night to contain the inferno.
Nighttime Blaze Engulfs Shopping Centre
According to police and rescue officials, emergency teams were dispatched to Gul Plaza in Karachi shortly after 10pm local time on Saturday following urgent reports of the blaze. Dramatic videos from the scene depicted flames shooting from the building as firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading in the densely packed business district.
Hundreds of onlookers, including distraught shop owners watching their livelihoods turn to ash, gathered around the cordoned-off area. Local media indicated that most retailers were either closing up or had already departed for the day when the fire ignited and spread with alarming speed.
Rescue Efforts and Mounting Casualties
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan described the scale of the challenge, stating, "When we arrived, the fire from the ground floor had spread to the upper floors, and almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames." The human cost began to emerge as police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed six bodies had been taken to Karachi's Civil Hospital, alongside 11 injured persons, prompting police to invoke mass disaster protocols.
Tragically, the firefighting effort claimed the life of one of its own. Firefighter Furqan Shoukat lost his life during the operation, as confirmed by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who pledged full support for the bereaved family.
Authorities face a growing list of missing persons. South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso told Geo News that 16 names had been registered by families so far. One distressing account came from residents Mansoor and Jameel, who reported being unable to contact six family members—three women, two men, and a 14-year-old girl—who had gone shopping at the mall. Their last contact was around 10:10pm.
Structural Fears and Recurring Safety Concerns
The fire's intensity raised fears for the building's stability. Local media reported that sections of the structure had begun to collapse, with rescue officials concerned the entire edifice could come down. Fire crews employed ladders, water cannons, and hoses to combat flames erupting from windows and balconies, while thick, black smoke billowed into the night sky.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire spread rapidly after breaking out in an area where shopkeepers stored flammable items like imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods. The cause of the fire remains unknown, with police stating a formal investigation will commence once the blaze is fully extinguished.
This incident highlights a persistent and deadly issue in Karachi and across Pakistan, where many buildings lack adequate fire prevention and fighting systems. The city, capital of Sindh province, has seen similar tragedies, including a shopping mall fire in November 2023 that killed 10 people.
Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad stated that the search for missing individuals will begin only after the fire is completely out and a cooling-down process has been completed.
