Karachi, Pakistan – Rescue operations at the Gul Plaza shopping complex in Karachi have entered their sixth day as emergency teams continue to comb through the smouldering rubble in search of survivors and victims of the deadly inferno that has shocked the city.
The massive fire, which erupted late last week, engulfed multiple floors of the four-storey plaza, home to over 1,200 shops, and led to partial structural collapses, making rescue operations both hazardous and painstakingly slow. Firefighters and rescue personnel have been navigating unstable debris, lingering heat, and hazardous conditions to reach trapped individuals.
Officials report that the death toll has now risen to approximately 60, while at least 88 people remain missing, raising fears that the final casualty count could climb further. In a particularly grim discovery, 30 bodies were recovered from a single shop, underscoring the scale of the tragedy and the intensity of the blaze. Families of missing persons continue to gather outside the site, anxiously awaiting news on their loved ones as authorities provide regular updates through helplines and support centres.
Local authorities and emergency services are facing critical challenges in safely conducting search and recovery efforts, highlighting ongoing concerns about building safety standards, fire regulations, and emergency preparedness in Karachi. This disaster has intensified scrutiny of construction oversight and fire safety enforcement, as many traders and residents demand accountability for the losses suffered.
Rescue teams remain committed to the operation, with authorities emphasizing that every possible effort is being made to locate missing individuals and recover victims. Meanwhile, the city continues to mourn one of its deadliest commercial tragedies in recent memory, as investigators and officials prepare to assess both the cause of the fire and the adequacy of safety measures in place at the plaza.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.