Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Karachi Mall Fire Leaves 21 Dead, Dozens Missing
A big fire happened in a shopping mall called Gul Plaza in Karachi, Pakistan.
The fire started late on Saturday night and quickly spread to the upper floors of the building.
Firefighters worked for 24 hours to put out the fire.
So far, 21 people have died, and more than 60 are still missing.
The fire started because of a problem with the electrical system, and the building's design made it hard for people to escape.
Many shopowners lost their businesses in the fire, and people are upset about how long it took for the fire department to arrive.
The building is now at risk of collapsing, and rescue workers are trying to cool it down and remove debris.
People are protesting and asking for accountability from the authorities.
A massive fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi left at least 21 people dead and more than 60 missing.
The fire started late on Saturday night and quickly spread to the upper floors of the building, with 13 of 16 exits locked.
Firefighters worked for 24 hours to put out the fire and search for missing people, with the building's structure being unstable.
The cause of the fire is suspected to be a circuit breaker malfunction, with the building's lack of ventilation and flammable materials exacerbating the situation.
Shopowners and locals are upset about the response time of the fire department and the loss of their businesses, with protests demanding accountability from authorities.
- Who
- Firefighters, rescue workers, shopowners, and local authorities
- What
- A massive fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi
- When
- Late Saturday, January 19, 2024
- Where
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Why
- Suspected circuit breaker malfunction, exacerbated by lack of ventilation and flammable materials
- Location
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Date of Fire
- January 19, 2024
- Casualties
- 21 dead, 60+ missing
- Injured
- 18
- Building
- Gul Plaza (1,200 shops)
- Cause
- Circuit breaker (suspected)
- Response Time
- Firefighters arrived after flames spread to upper floors
- Exits
- 13 of 16 exits locked
Sources
Dozens missing after massive Karachi mall fire, 14 killed
Karachi fire: Gul Plaza mall blaze leaves 14 dead, dozens missing; building at risk of collapse
Pakistan mall fire: Death toll rises to 14, over 70 still missing
Dozens missing after massive Karachi mall fire, 15 killed
Dozens missing after massive Karachi mall fire, 19 killed
Dozens missing after massive Karachi mall fire, 21 killed
Karachi Shopping Mall Fire Death Count Hits 21, Dozens Still Missing
Rising smoke, locked exits: How Karachi mall inferno trapped victims
Karachi shopping mall fire death toll climbs to 26
Rescue workers clearing Karachi inferno ruins, 63 missing feared dead
Karachi shopping plaza fire death toll reaches 28, another 80 missing