Karachi fire kills 14 as shopping centre gutted in historic district

Fourteen people have been killed after a massive fire tore through a shopping centre in Karachi’s historic downtown, authorities said, as emergency crews continued search and rescue operations amid warnings that dozens remain missing.

The blaze erupted late on Saturday at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, a multi-storey mall housing around 1,200 shops selling clothing, electrical appliances, cosmetics, and crockery. Officials said the nature of the stored goods contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Police surgeon Summaiya Syed earlier confirmed that bodies had been brought to Karachi’s Civil Hospital, while rescuers continued to recover victims from the debris.

Asad Raza, deputy inspector general of police south, told Geo News on Monday that operations were still underway at the site.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori visited the scene and said 70 to 80 people remained unaccounted for, adding that about 1,200 people had been doing business inside the building.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation officials, firefighting has been completed, and teams are now focused on cooling the site and removing rubble.

Authorities cautioned that the old, structurally unstable building poses ongoing risks, forcing rescuers to proceed carefully.

Videos shared online showed flames engulfing the mall as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze, while distressed shop owners gathered outside, watching their businesses burn.

Local media reported that parts of the structure had already collapsed, raising fears of further failure as recovery efforts continue.

Copied