Building declared unsafe, dozens still missing as rescue teams focus on clearing debris
Smoke rises as firefighters spray water to extinguish a massive fire that broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping center building, in Karachi, Pakistan, January 18, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
Firefighters brought a massive fire under control at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road after about 36 hours, but authorities have warned that the building is now extremely unstable and could collapse at any time. At least 14 people have died, including a firefighter, while dozens are still missing, authorities said Monday.
The fire broke out at the multi-story mall on Saturday evening and continued to burn until Sunday, causing parts of the building to collapse. Firefighters said the main fire had been extinguished and cooling operations were underway, but active flames were seen earlier on the ground floor and second floor at the rear of the building.
Fire chief Humayun Ahmed told media by telephone that the central fire had been extinguished. “The structure is seriously damaged and dangerous. There is a serious risk of collapse, which is why firefighting has been stopped and only debris removal is underway,” he said.
Firefighters recovered the body parts of five other people, including a child, from the building affected since Sunday evening. Rescue officials said the death toll stood at at least 14, while around 54 to 59 people remained missing. Police and rescue teams are using cellphone data to find missing people and have contacted families to gather details.
DIG South Asad Raza said police had obtained mobile numbers of 59 missing persons and traced the location of at least 26 near Gul Plaza. “Further examination is underway,” he said, adding that a police helpline had been set up on the orders of the Sindh government.
Emergency workers said dozens of injured people were taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation or burns. Two firefighters, Irshad and Bilal, were injured and are being treated at PNS Shifa. In total, around 30 people were injured and the patients were transferred to the burn center, trauma center and Jinnah Hospital. Several were then released after first aid.
According to rescue authorities, those killed included Kashif, son of Younis, 40; Faraz, son of Abrar, 55 years old; Mohammad Aamir, 30 years old; and Furqan, son of Shaukat Ali, 25, as well as several others whose identities have not yet been confirmed. Lists of injured and affected people have also been published.
Edhi Foundation director Faisal Edhi said relatives of more than 55 missing people had contacted the organization. “Firefighters are risking their lives to control the fire and rescue people,” he said, calling on the public to cooperate with police and stay away from the building.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the site and said authorities would try to provide maximum relief and compensate traders for their losses. He said the first firefighter arrived at the site at 10:27 p.m. on Saturday and about 26 firefighters, four snorkels and 10 water tankers took part in the operation. He confirmed that a KMC firefighter was among the dead.
“It was a basement, ground floor and three-story building with over 1,000 stores,” Shah explained. “It is too early to determine the exact cause. Some say the fire started because of a short circuit in a store containing highly flammable materials, which caused the fire to spread quickly.”
Firefighters said more than 20 vehicles from across the city joined the operation. The fire was declared a third-degree fire and spread up to the third floor, with the basement market also affected. A firefighter was killed when part of the rear structure collapsed.
The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) has set up a helpline outside the Civil Hospital Trauma Center to assist families and collect information on missing persons. CPLC officials said DNA testing would be used to identify unrecognizable bodies if necessary.
Authorities said the cause of the fire would be investigated once the cooling process was complete. For now, the damaged mall remains cordoned off as rescue teams continue to clear debris, fearing more people could still be trapped inside.
