Karachi, January 19, 2026 – The death toll from the massive Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has risen to 14, while more than 60 people remain missing, as rescue teams continue their search for survivors, media reported on Monday. The blaze, which engulfed the multi-storey shopping mall in the city’s business district late on Saturday, burned for over 24 hours, hampering rescue efforts in the densely packed market area.
Firefighters moved to cooling and debris-clearing operations on Sunday, but concerns remain that additional victims could still be trapped under the rubble. According to a spokesperson from Rescue 1122 Sindh, crews are continuing to comb through debris, while Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed the high number of missing persons.
Authorities believe the fire was triggered by a circuit breaker malfunction, Sindh Police Chief Javed Alam Odho told reporters. The mall, home to more than 1,200 shops, contained flammable materials such as carpets and blankets, which contributed to the fire’s intensity and caused parts of the building to continue smouldering even after the main flames were controlled.
By Sunday evening, large sections of the structure had collapsed, leaving twisted metal, debris, fallen air-conditioning units, and shop signboards scattered across the streets. Firefighters warned that remaining parts of the building were unstable, posing a further risk to rescue workers.
Local shopkeepers and residents criticized a delayed emergency response and shortages of water and equipment, claiming the fire destroyed decades of livelihoods. Authorities continue investigating the incident while focusing on rescue operations and assessing structural safety in the aftermath of this devastating disaster.