Report Reveals 79 Deaths in Gul Plaza, Mostly on Mezzanine

The Karachi Commissioner has finalized the investigation report into the Gul Plaza tragedy. Prepared by a committee comprising the Karachi Commissioner and the Additional IG, the report will be presented to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Sources indicate that the document includes comprehensive details regarding the causes of the fire and the rescue operation, as well as testimonies obtained from victims, eyewitnesses, and rescue officials.

According to the report, the fire was started by a child in a flower shop on the ground floor. The flames spread rapidly through the building’s air conditioning ducts, leading to 79 deaths. The majority of these fatalities occurred on the mezzanine floor of the Gul Plaza.

The investigation provides a specific timeline of the Gul Plaza incident, noting that the fire broke out at 10:15 pm. The fire brigade received a report of the incident at 10:26 pm, and the Deputy Commissioner South reached the scene at 10:30 pm. The first fire tender arrived at 10:37 pm—eleven minutes after the initial report—followed by the Rescue 1122 crew at 10:53 pm.