KARACHI: Efforts have been continuing to douse the raging Karachi Gul Plaza fire that erupted on Saturday, where seven people reportedly lost their lives, and 22 others were injured and moved to hospitals.
According to the police official, a horrific fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza left at least seven people dead and 22 injured, while 18 others remain missing. The fire brigade declared the blaze a third-degree fire as firefighting and rescue operations continued for several hours amid repeated building collapses.
According to rescue officials, the deceased include Kashif, Faraz, Aamir, Wazir and Furqan, while the injured include Hamza, Abdullah, Ayan, Haseeb, Daniyal, Sadiq, Rahim, Usman, Fahad, Zain and Muhammad Hanif. Men, women and children are among those missing. Citizens are submitting details of their loved ones to the district administration.
Fire officials said 22 fire tenders, one bowser and two snorkels were deployed to extinguish the blaze. The ground floor of Gul Plaza was completely gutted, and parts of the building collapsed during the operation. Chief Fire Officer confirmed that firefighter Furqan lost his life after a section of the building collapsed. Another portion later collapsed following an explosion, while generators installed on the roof fell to the ground.
گُل پلازہ کراچی میں لوگوں کے اربوں روپے ڈوب گئے، متعدد لوگ جان سے گئے
اتنے بڑے پلازے میں کسی نے بھی ایمرجنسی ایگزٹ پلان کا کیوں نہیں سوچا تھا کہ ریسکیو ٹیمیں اندر پھنسے لوگوں کو نکال سکتیں— Dr Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) January 18, 2026
A spokesperson for the Greater Municipal Corporation said a fire report was received at 10:26 pm, after which two fire tenders were dispatched from the Central and Sadar fire stations. As the intensity increased, additional personnel and vehicles were called in from 16 fire stations across the city. Water tankers and staff from the Water Board also reached the site. Several people were rescued safely, though operations were hampered by heavy crowds and traffic.
Meanwhile, a fire safety audit revealed alarming lapses. Of 266 buildings inspected on I.I. Chundrigar Road, Shahrah-e-Faisal and Shahrah-e-Quaidin, only six were found to have proper fire safety facilities. More than 200 buildings lacked fire extinguishers, 35 per cent had no emergency exits, and 70 per cent had substandard electrical wiring. The KMC report warned of fire risks due to short circuits, noting that despite instructions to the SBCA and residents, no effective action was taken.
The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner South have submitted their reports on the Gul Plaza fire to the Sindh Chief Minister, as investigations into the causes and responsibility continue.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have expressed their grief over the fire incident in Gul Plaza in Karachi.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has issued instructions that all relevant agencies should work together in the rescue operation.
The Prime Minister said that all possible assistance will be provided to the affected traders and other people, saying that he equally shares the grief of the families of the deceased.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the fire.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his grief over the tragic incident of fire in Karachi and expressed his condolences to the families for the loss of precious human lives.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that the Sindh government and relevant agencies should provide immediate and all possible assistance to the affected people and traders, and no effort should be left unturned in providing the best medical facilities to the injured.
On the other hand, Senior Minister of Sindh Sharjeel Memon said that the incident of the Gul Plaza fire is very sad. He said that he shares the grief of the families of the deceased.
Sharjeel Memon said that the government machinery has been present since late at night, trying to extinguish the fire; there was no problem with water and foam.
