7 months ago
Karachi Mall Fire Death Toll Rises
A big fire happened at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, late at night.
The fire started because of a short circuit in one of the shops and then spread to the whole mall.
Many people died, including a firefighter and a child, and many others were hurt.
Around 60 people are still missing, and rescue teams are working hard to find them.
The fire made the building very weak, and one side of the mall even collapsed.
Firefighters and other helpers, including the army, are using special cameras and big machines to look for people inside the mall.
The leaders of the area are helping and have promised to pay money to the people who were affected by the fire.
The mall was built a long time ago and had many shops.
The fire has been burning for more than 24 hours, and it is still not completely under control.
Rescue teams have only been able to reach a small part of the building so far.
The death toll from the fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has risen to 10-14, with around 60 people still missing.
The fire started late Saturday night and has severely damaged the multi-storey shopping complex, with one side of the mall collapsing.
Rescue teams, assisted by the army, have only been able to access 5% to 10% of the building due to safety concerns.
The cause of the fire is speculated to be a short circuit in one of the shops, but it has not been officially confirmed.
Authorities are promising transparent compensation for victims and affected shop owners once the rescue and recovery phase is complete.
- Who
- Residents, shoppers, firefighters, and rescue teams at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan
- What
- A massive fire broke out, killing 10-14 people, including a firefighter and a child, and injuring others, with around 60 people still missing
- Where
- Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan
- When
- Late Saturday night, January 17, 2026, around 10:45 p.m. local time
- Why
- Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by a short circuit in one of the shops, which then spread throughout the mall
Key facts
- Location
- Gul Plaza shopping mall, MA Jinnah Road, Karachi, Pakistan
- Date
- January 17, 2026
- Time
- Around 10:45 p.m. local time
- Casualties
- 10-14 killed, including a firefighter and a child, and 20 rescued and sent to the hospital
- Missing
- Around 60 people still missing
- Cause
- Speculated to be a short circuit in one of the shops
- Response
- 22 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowsers, four snorkels, 33 ambulances, and Pakistan Army involved in operations
- Authorities Involved
- Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army
- Building Condition
- Ground and mezzanine floors completely burned, upper two floors on fire, one side of the mall collapsed, 5% to 10% of the building accessible
- Rescue Efforts
- Thermal cameras and heavy machinery used, rescue operations ongoing
Timeline
Hyderabad fire exposes emergency service delays.
Then, a mall shop's short circuit ignites blaze.
In Karachi, another mall fire erupts from same cause.
Three dead, many hurt; rescue mission underway.
Quotes
Abid Jalal
Chief Operating Officer of Rescue 1122
“The building structure has been weakened by the fire and we are still continuing to search for any remaining people because we could see more structural collapses.”
telegraphindia.com
“Once the fire was doused, we didn’t wait for the cooling period and forcibly went in to rescue trapped people and we found eight more bodies, some badly charred.”
telegraphindia.com
Syed Asad Raza
South DIG
“The casualties could increase because there was still a lot more space to be covered to find survivors.”
telegraphindia.com
“An electrical short circuit might have caused the fire but said the cause has yet to be confirmed.”
telegraphindia.com
Kamran Tessori
Sindh Governor
“We are extremely concerned and alarmed. Efforts are going on to find them but this is a national tragedy.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
6 dead, 18 missing after fire breaks out at shopping mall in Pak’s Karachi, probe ordered
At least 6 dead, many trapped after fire breaks out at shopping mall in Pakistan’s Karachi, probe ordered
Massive fire kills 6 in Karachi, destroys shopping centre
Three Killed, Several Injured As Massive Fire Engulfs Gul Plaza Mall In Pakistan's Karachi
Six dead, many trapped after fire breaks out at shopping mall in Karachi, probe ordered
6 Dead, 38 Missing After Fire Breaks Out At Shopping Complex In Pakistan: Report
Karachi mall fire toll may rise as 60 reported missing, Sindh CM says 6 confirmed dead
Three Killed, Several Injured As Massive Fire Engulfs Gul Plaza Mall In Pakistan's Karachi
Six killed, many trapped in massive Karachi shopping mall fire; probe ordered - Telegraph India
Pakistan: Death Toll Rises To 10 In Fire At Karachi’s Gul Plaza; Around 60 People Still Missing
More than 65 missing, six dead after huge Karachi blaze
Death toll due to fire in shopping mall in Pak’s Karachi rises to 14
Karachi Gul Plaza fire: Death toll rises to 10, around 60 still missing
Karachi Mall Fire: 11 Dead, 60 Missing as Rescue Efforts Continue
Death toll in Karachi mall fire jumps to 11
Death Toll Rises to 6 in Fire at a Shopping Plaza in Karachi
