Building declared unsafe, dozens still missing as rescue teams shift to debris removal
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 at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road under control after about 36 hours, but officials 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 late Saturday night at the multi-story shopping center and continued to burn until Sunday, causing parts of the building to collapse. Fire officials said the main fire has been extinguished and cooling operations are underway, but active flames were previously seen on the ground floor and second floor at the rear of the building.
Fire Chief Humayun Ahmed told the media by phone that the central fire was out. “The structure is very damaged and unsafe. There is a serious risk of collapse, so firefighting has been stopped and only debris removal is underway,” he said.
Firefighters have recovered the bodies of five more people, including a child, from the affected building since Sunday night. Rescue officials said the death toll has risen to at least 14, while about 54 to 59 people are still missing. Police and rescue teams are using mobile phone data to track missing people and have been contacting families to gather details.
DIG South Asad Raza said police had obtained mobile numbers of 59 missing persons and traced the locations of at least 26 near Gul Plaza. “Further investigation is underway,” he said, adding that a police helpline had been set up on the orders of the Sindh government.
Rescue officials said dozens of injured people were taken to hospitals after suffering from smoke inhalation or burns. Two firemen, Irshad and Bilal, were injured and are being treated at PNS Shifa. In all, around 30 people were injured and patients were shifted to the burn centre, trauma center and Jinnah Hospital. Several were later discharged after first aid.
According to rescue officials, those killed include Kashif, son of Younis, 40; Faraz, son of Abrar, 55; Mohammad Aamir, 30; and Furqan, son of Shaukat Ali, 25, along with several others whose identities have yet to be confirmed. Lists of injured and affected persons have also been issued.
Head of the Edhi Foundation, Faisal Edhi, said relatives of more than 55 missing persons had contacted the organisation. “Firefighters are risking their lives to control the fire and save people,” he said, urging 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 reached the scene at 10:27 p.m. Saturday and about 26 firefighters, four snorkelers and 10 water bowsers joined the operation. He confirmed that a KMC fireman was among the dead.
“This was a basement, ground and three-storey building with more than 1,000 shops,” Shah said. “It is too early to determine the exact cause. Some say it started due to a short circuit in a store with highly flammable material, which caused the fire to spread quickly.”
Fire department officials said more than 20 vehicles from across the city took part in the operation. The fire was declared a third-degree fire and spread up to the third floor, with the basement market also affected. One firefighter was killed when part of the rear structure collapsed.
The Citizen-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) set up a help desk outside the Civil Hospital Trauma Center to assist families and collect information about 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 is complete. For now, the damaged mall remains cordoned off as rescue teams continue to clear debris amid fears more people may still be trapped inside.
