Gul Plaza Search Operation Enters Sixth Day as Death Toll Reaches 60, 88 Still Missing

KARACHI, Thursday, January 22, 2026: The search and rescue operation at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road has entered its sixth day, with authorities confirming that at least 60 people have died while 88 others are still missing after last week’s deadly fire.

Rescue teams continued their work on Thursday, carefully moving through damaged parts of the building. Many areas remain unsafe due to structural damage, which has slowed the operation.

30 Bodies Found Inside One Shop

Officials said that 30 badly burnt bodies were recovered from a single crockery shop located on the mezzanine floor. The shop was identified as Shop No. 144 with the help of a shopkeeper who had seen several people rushing inside during the fire.

According to rescue officials, many victims entered the shop while trying to escape the smoke and flames after panic spread across the mall.

Timeline of the Fire

CCTV footage shows that the fire started at around 10:07pm on Saturday, January 17, from the back side of the shopping centre. Ambulances reached the site within five minutes, around 10:12pm.

By 10:18pm, flames were visible from the front side of the plaza on MA Jinnah Road. The fire spread across the building in just 11 minutes.

Firefighters worked continuously for nearly 39 hours before the blaze was finally brought under control.

Victims Identified So Far

The Missing Persons Cell of the South District deputy commissioner confirmed that 15 more victims have now been identified.

The deceased include Mohammad Shehroz, Misbah, Maryam, Kashif, Aamir, Faraz, Farooq, Farqan, Mohammad Ali, Tanveer, Mohammad Rizwan, Churchill Masih, Sarfraz Noor, Mohammad Saad, and Mohammad Usman.

Many bodies are still unrecognizable due to severe burns.

Families Wait for Answers

Families of missing persons remain at the site and nearby hospitals. Many are waiting for DNA results to identify their loved ones.

Burnt human remains recovered from the debris have increased the pain and uncertainty for relatives.

One of Karachi’s Deadliest Fires

The Gul Plaza fire is now being described as one of the deadliest commercial building fires in Karachi in the last ten years.

The plaza had more than 1,200 shops, and officials believe overcrowding and poor safety measures may have worsened the tragedy.

Karachi’s Growing Fire Safety Crisis

This incident is not isolated. Official records show that around 2,400 fire incidents were reported in Karachi during 2025 alone.

Most of these fires occurred in markets, factories, and shopping malls, raising serious concerns about fire safety laws and emergency preparedness in the city.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and more details are expected in the coming days.