Karachi: Firefighters and rescue personnel continued recovery operations at Karachi’s Gul Plaza on Monday, pulling bodies from the smouldering remains of the multi-storey commercial complex, as authorities confirmed that at least 26 people have died and around 81 remain missing following one of the city’s deadliest fires in over a decade.
Speaking to Geo News, South District Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said two additional bodies were recovered late Monday night. He added that search teams had cleared the ground and first floors and were attempting to access the second and third floors amid safety concerns.
Khoso clarified that while 81 people were initially reported missing, the list contained duplicate names and 74 missing persons have been confirmed so far. He also stated that 20 bodies have been officially confirmed and handed over for identification.
Third-degree fire engulfs historic commercial centre
The massive fire broke out late Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a sprawling shopping centre housing nearly 1,200 shops and covering an area larger than a football field in Karachi’s historic commercial district. The blaze raged for more than 24 hours before firefighters managed to bring it under control.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames tearing through the building as firefighters battled the inferno through the night. By Monday, cooling operations were underway as rescue workers cleared twisted metal, debris, fallen air-conditioning units, and shop signboards scattered across nearby streets.
Rescue 1122 confirms severity, denies delay
Appearing on Geo News’ programme “Geo Pakistan”, Sindh Rescue Service (Rescue 1122) Chief Operating Officer Abid Jalaluddin described the incident as a third-degree fire, the most severe classification.
He rejected claims of delayed response, stating that rescue teams acted promptly while prioritising the safety of personnel. Jalaluddin confirmed that search operations were ongoing on the second and third floors, adding:
“No dead body has been recovered from the third floor so far.”
He stressed the importance of fire alarms and sprinkler systems, noting that such fire-prevention measures are standard globally but often absent in local commercial buildings.
Building partially demolished amid collapse fears
By Monday afternoon, much of Gul Plaza had collapsed. Heavy cranes were used to demolish remaining unstable portions of the structure amid fears it could collapse entirely during rescue efforts.
Families of missing persons gathered outside the site, many expressing anger and despair. Qasir Khan, whose wife, daughter-in-law and her mother are missing, accused authorities of a slow response.
“The bodies will come out in pieces. No one will be able to recognise them,” he said.
Shop owners also mourned devastating losses.
“Twenty years of hard work is gone overnight,” said Yasmeen Bano, whose shop was destroyed in the fire.
Vehicles recovered from rooftop
Rescue teams, using cranes, have begun clearing vehicles parked on the plaza’s rooftop. At least seven cars have been recovered so far. Officials confirmed that two vehicles were returned in usable condition to their owners.
A trader, Aamir, expressed surprise at the recovery, saying:
“Remarkably, both of our cars are safe.”
He added that two of his shop workers remain missing.
DNA identification and forensic analysis underway
Due to the severity of burns, authorities are relying on DNA testing to identify victims. A police surgeon confirmed that DNA samples from 20 bodies have been collected at Civil Hospital, while 48 families have submitted reference samples.
DIG South Asad Raza said samples are being cross-matched at the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory, with results expected to take several days. Sources said severely burnt remains from six bodies have been sent to the forensic lab at the University of Karachi.
Inquiry committee to meet today
An official inquiry into the incident has been launched and will be headed by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, who announced that the committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday.
Naqvi said the committee would review all collected data, adding that criminal negligence, if proven, will be punished. He confirmed that the plaza stored highly flammable materials, contributing to the intensity of the fire.
Cause of fire still unclear
According to rescue officials, the first emergency call was received at 10:38pm on Saturday, reporting a fire on the ground floor. By the time firefighters arrived, flames had already spread to upper floors.
Firefighters cited poor ventilation as a major obstacle, which caused thick smoke to fill the building and delayed rescue efforts.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah acknowledged systemic failures, stating:
“There are faults. An inquiry will be conducted and heads will roll.”
While provincial police earlier suggested an electrical fault, the chief minister said the exact cause remains undetermined.
The Gul Plaza fire may be Karachi’s deadliest since the 2012 factory blaze that killed over 260 people, later ruled an act of arson.