A catastrophic fire has ravaged the multi-story Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, resulting in at least six confirmed fatalities and over twenty injuries. The blaze, which ignited on Saturday, rapidly consumed the entire structure containing 1,200 retail stores across 8,000 square meters of commercial space.
Emergency responders faced extreme challenges as sections of the building collapsed during firefighting operations, severely hampering rescue efforts. Among the deceased is one frontline firefighter, with authorities expressing grave concerns that additional victims may remain trapped within the unstable wreckage.
Hassan Khan, spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Karachi, identified highly flammable inventory—including plastic foam materials, textiles, carpets, and perfume products—as significant factors in the fire’s rapid escalation through multiple floors. Despite deployment of twenty fire engines, the structural integrity of the building continues to deteriorate, presenting ongoing dangers to first responders.
Dr. Summaiya Syed, Karachi’s police surgeon, confirmed that six bodies and multiple injured persons have been transported to Civil Hospital, with officials activating mass disaster protocols to manage the crisis.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has extended official condolences while ordering the provincial government of Sindh to conduct immediate safety reviews of all commercial and residential structures throughout the region. The investigation into the fire’s origin and the building’s compliance with safety regulations remains ongoing as smoke continues to emanate from the disaster site.