Death Toll from Karachi’s Gul Plaza Inferno Rises to 15 as Search for Missing Continues

KARACHI: The death toll from the devastating fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road rose to 15 on Monday as rescue teams recovered eight additional bodies during an ongoing search operation, officials said.

The blaze broke out late Saturday night at the multi-storey shopping plaza and was brought under control after more than 24 hours of firefighting efforts on Sunday. With the fire extinguished, authorities launched a detailed search and debris-clearing operation amid fears that more victims could be trapped inside the gutted structure.

South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza confirmed that eight bodies were recovered since Sunday night. “The fire safety operation has been completed, and the cooling process is underway. Debris removal is being carried out by personnel from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Town Municipal Corporation (TMC), and the Pakistan Navy,” he said.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed stated that five bodies had so far been shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for medico-legal procedures. Identification of the victims is ongoing.

While officials initially suspected an electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire, authorities said a final determination would be made following a formal investigation.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who visited the site on Monday, described the situation as “extremely alarming,” citing reports that more than 70 people were still missing. “This incident has turned into a national tragedy,” he said, expressing particular concern over unconfirmed information regarding a pregnant woman possibly trapped inside the building.

The governor emphasized that rescue efforts remained the top priority, while steps were also being taken to assist affected traders. He said he was in contact with leading builders to explore options for restoring the market and pledged continued support until losses were compensated.

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The Sindh government has established a helpline for information regarding missing persons and inquiries related to the incident.

Meanwhile, Karachi Traffic Police announced the closure of M.A. Jinnah Road between Tibet Centre and Garden Chowk due to ongoing recovery operations. Commuters have been advised to use alternate routes through Saddar, Empress Market, Regal, Burns Road, and Fresco Chowk.

Amid the rescue efforts, traders and local residents criticized what they described as a delayed emergency response. Several shopkeepers said the fire could have been contained earlier had adequate resources been deployed promptly. Residents also reported water shortages during the initial firefighting phase, which they said allowed the fire to intensify.

Questions have been raised over emergency preparedness and infrastructure constraints in the congested area, as authorities continue recovery operations and investigate the circumstances surrounding one of the city’s deadliest commercial fires in recent years.