KARACHI: Rescue teams have finally brought the massive fire at Gul Plaza under control after more than 33 hours of relentless efforts, but the tragedy has deepened as the death toll climbed to 14 on Monday.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza, 14 bodies have so far been recovered from the gutted building, with five of them burned beyond recognition. Search and recovery operations are still underway amid fears that more victims could be found.
Rescuers are now entering the heavily damaged structure by cutting through windows and breaking walls, as large portions of the building have collapsed due to the intensity of the blaze. Cooling operations continue, but officials say unstable sections of the plaza pose serious risks.
The fire erupted late Saturday night, sending thick flames and smoke billowing into the sky as firefighters battled through the night. Hundreds of distraught traders, families, and onlookers gathered outside the plaza as their livelihoods and loved ones remained trapped inside.
One devastated shop owner, Yasmeen Bano, said tearfully: “Twenty years of hard work is gone in minutes. We have been left with nothing.”
How the fire spread
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan told Reuters that when firefighters reached the site, the flames had already engulfed most of the building.
Officials said the fire started at 10:14 pm on Saturday in a shop selling artificial flowers and decorative pots. Rescue 1122 was informed at 10:38 pm, and two fire tenders arrived by 10:57 pm.
Fire officials said their work was hampered by narrow entrances, heavy smoke, water shortages, and traffic congestion caused by large crowds. Water bowsers were delayed near Guru Mandir due to construction work in the area.
Chief Fire Officer Zafar Khan said that foam had been used since the first day, and around 90 percent of the fire had been extinguished. However, flammable goods inside the shops are still smoldering.
Currently, 12 fire tenders, six water bowsers, and two snorkel vehicles remain stationed at the site.
Missing persons and injured
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site nearly 23 hours after the fire began, which angered many affected families and traders.
He said around 65 people were initially reported missing, but police confirmed that families of 59 individuals had officially contacted authorities. Mobile numbers of the missing persons are being traced, and so far 26 have been linked to the location of the incident.
Several people were injured in the blaze, including Haseeb, Waseem, Daniyal, Sadiq, Hamza, Rahim, Fahad, Jawad, Ayan, Abdullah, Usman, Zain, and Nadir.
Among the confirmed dead are Kashif, Faraz, Muhammad Aamir, Furqan, and two unidentified individuals.
Traders blame government
Trader representatives strongly criticized the government’s response.
Speaking on Geo News, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh President Jawaid Qureshi accused authorities of incompetence and poor crisis management.
He said traders were suffering both financial and human losses while being unfairly blamed for safety violations.
Qureshi also revealed that maintenance fees collected from shop owners were used for security guards, building upkeep, and generator fuel—not fire safety systems.
He admitted that unauthorized construction had taken place in the building, with shops operating in the basement even though only the ground and first floors were legally approved.
