Death Toll Rises After Deadly Fire Engulfs Karachi Shopping Mall

KARACHI, Pakistan — Jan 19, 2026 The death toll from a massive fire at a major shopping mall in Pakistan’s largest city has risen to at least 19, as rescue workers continue searching for more than 60 people still reported missing, officials said on Monday.

The fire broke out late Saturday at Gul Plaza, a vast multi-storey commercial complex in Karachi’s historic city centre that houses more than 1,200 shops. The blaze raged for over 24 hours before firefighters were able to bring it largely under control.

By Monday afternoon, large sections of the building had collapsed, forcing authorities to deploy cranes as emergency teams cautiously cleared debris amid fears the remaining structure could give way.

Search and Rescue Efforts Continue

Firefighters spent the night battling intense heat and smoke before shifting to cooling operations and recovery work. Twisted metal, fallen signage and damaged air-conditioning units littered nearby streets as the search continued.

Officials from the Alkhidmat disaster management agency confirmed that 19 fatalities had been recovered so far, while dozens of people were still unaccounted for.

Rescue teams said the scale of destruction inside the building had severely limited the chances of finding survivors.

Families Await Answers

Outside the cordoned-off site, hundreds of relatives and shop owners gathered, anxiously awaiting news.

Qasir Khan said several members of his family had gone to the mall shortly before the fire and never returned.

“They went out for a short visit and never came back,” he said.

Shop owners also described devastating losses, with decades of work reduced to ashes overnight.

Questions Over Safety and Response Time

Authorities said the first emergency call was received at 10:38 p.m. local time on Saturday, reporting a fire in ground-floor shops. By the time fire crews arrived, flames had already spread rapidly to upper levels.

Firefighters cited poor ventilation within the building as a major factor that worsened smoke conditions and slowed rescue efforts.

Public anger flared during a visit by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, with local media reporting protests and criticism over the emergency response.

Government Promises Inquiry

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah acknowledged failures and promised a full investigation.

“I am admitting there are faults. An inquiry will be conducted, and those responsible will be held accountable,” Shah said.

While police initially suggested the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, provincial authorities said the exact cause remains under investigation.

The incident could rank among Karachi’s deadliest fires in years, recalling a 2012 factory blaze that killed more than 260 people.