At least 23 people have died in a massive fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi, Pakistan, as rescuers continue to search for dozens of missing victims.
The blaze erupted on Saturday at Gul Plaza, a multistory complex housing 1,200 shops. Firefighters extinguished the fire late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it began, allowing rescue teams to enter the damaged building. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as 46 people remain unaccounted for.
Karachi city police chief Asad Raza confirmed only six bodies have been identified so far, with the remainder requiring DNA testing. “The bodies were beyond recognition,” said police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Sye.
Sindh provincial Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the government would provide 10 million rupees ($36,000) in compensation to the families of each victim. Among the dead was a firefighter, highlighting the dangers faced by first responders.
The fire spread rapidly through shops storing cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods, said Karachi’s chief rescue officer, Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh. Hundreds of people gathered outside the building, anxiously awaiting news of relatives and loved ones.
Shopowner Yasmeen Bano described losing her 20-year-old business. “We’ve been left high and dry, reduced to zero; 20 years of hard work, all gone,” she said.
Some families are still unsure of their loved ones’ fate. Qaiser Ali said his daughter, daughter-in-law, and sister were inside the plaza when the fire started. He last spoke with them on Sunday via mobile phone. “I don’t know what has happened to them or whether they are alive. We are praying that all those missing come out safely,” Ali said.
Mohammad Abrar, another survivor, managed to escape but feared for his brother, Saifur Rehman, who owns a shop inside the plaza.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Karachi has a history of deadly mall fires, often linked to poor safety standards and illegal construction. In November 2023, a mall fire killed 10 people and injured 22 others.
Authorities are working to remove debris and search the building thoroughly as rescue operations continue. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about fire safety in the city’s commercial complexes.