Gul Plaza Fire in Karachi – Death Toll, Rescue Operation & Full Investigation Report (Latest Update)
The horrific Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has become one of Pakistan’s deadliest commercial building disasters in recent years. The tragedy shook not only the residents of Karachi but the entire nation, prompting questions about safety standards, delayed rescue response, building inspections, and the negligence that allowed such an intense fire to spread uncontrollably inside a busy commercial hub. As of the latest update, the death toll is rising, families are still searching for missing loved ones, and investigative committees continue to piece together the exact sequence of events.
This is a complete 3000+ word, in-depth report covering everything about the Gul Plaza tragedy — including timeline, victims' stories, rescue efforts, government response, structural analysis, and what comes next for Karachi’s commercial safety.
🔥 Background: What Is Gul Plaza in Karachi?
Gul Plaza is a massive commercial shopping complex located on M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi — one of the busiest wholesale markets in the city. The building is known for hosting:
- Mobile accessories shops
- Toys and baby products
- Household goods
- Plastic and electronic merchandise
- Clothing & wholesale distribution units
Managed by hundreds of shopkeepers and workers, the plaza remains active from early morning until late night, especially during peak business seasons such as Ramadan, Eid, and winter holidays. Due to the plaza’s structure, narrow walkways, flammable goods, and high-density storage, safety experts had previously warned that a fire could become devastating inside such a setup — and unfortunately, that warning turned into reality.
🔥 How the Fire Started – Initial Reports
The fire was first reported late at night, around **12:30 AM**, when most shops were closed and only a few workers were present. According to various early reports, the blaze may have originated from:
- An electrical malfunction
- A spark near flammable goods
- Faulty wiring in an air-conditioning unit
- Short-circuit inside a storage area
However, the Deputy Commissioner of Karachi South later stated that a short circuit is unlikely, suggesting that other possibilities — including negligence or unauthorized wiring — cannot be ruled out. Further forensic testing is still underway to determine the source of ignition.
🔥 How the Fire Spread So Quickly
One of the biggest questions people asked was: How did the fire spread so rapidly? Experts now believe several structural and environmental factors contributed to the disaster:
- Highly flammable material such as plastics, toys, and packaging
- Poor ventilation that trapped smoke and heat
- Narrow escape routes and blocked stairways
- Lack of fire alarms and sprinklers
- Overloaded electrical wiring
- Unauthorized storage units packed with goods
- The building’s **vertical design** which allowed flames to travel upward quickly
When firefighters reached the site, the flames had already engulfed multiple floors, producing thick toxic smoke and reducing visibility.
🔥 Timeline of Events — Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
12:30 AM: Initial fire breakout reported.
12:45 AM: Smoke seen rising from the middle floors; shop owners begin calling rescue services.
1:00 AM: First fire brigade vehicles arrive but struggle with entry due to parked trucks and blocked passages.
1:15 AM – 3:00 AM: Fire escalates, spreading across multiple levels.
3:30 AM: Roof begins to weaken structurally; firefighters evacuate certain sections.
5:00 AM: Rescuers attempt entry using oxygen masks amid toxic fumes.
6:30 AM: First confirmed casualties reported.
9:00 AM: Rescue 1122 and Karachi Fire Brigade declare the situation extremely dangerous.
12:00 PM: Structural collapse observed in portions of the building.
Ongoing: Dead bodies continue to be recovered from the upper floors and basement.
🔥 Latest Death Toll & Identification Process
As of the most recent update, the death toll has crossed 67 and may continue to rise. Many victims were trapped in:
- Upper floors where smoke density was highest
- Storage rooms with no ventilation
- Locked shops
- Basement areas filled with toxic fumes
DNA testing is being used to identify severely burned bodies. This process may take days due to the intense heat damage inflicted by the fire.
🔥 Missing Persons – Families in Trauma
More than 70+ individuals were reported missing in the early stages of the aftermath. Scenes outside hospitals and rescue centers remain heartbreaking:
- Mothers crying while holding photographs of their sons
- Shop helpers searching for coworkers
- Families begging for access to DNA testing centers
- Relatives waiting outside morgues for updates
Many families have still not received confirmations, and rescue teams continue to sweep through dangerous sections of the building to locate missing individuals.
🔥 Rescue Operation – Challenges Faced by Firefighters
Firefighters and rescue teams battled unimaginable conditions during the operation. Key challenges included:
- Extremely high temperatures inside the building
- Zero visibility due to thick black smoke
- Collapsing staircases and weakened floors
- Blocked passages filled with debris and merchandise
- Lack of water pressure in hoses
- Risk of explosion due to pressurized containers
Several rescue workers experienced smoke inhalation and had to be treated on-site by medical teams.
🔥 Government Response & Official Statements
Several officials, including the Chief Minister Sindh, Karachi Mayor, and DC South, have visited the site and offered condolences to the victims’ families. Authorities have promised:
- A high-level investigation into the fire
- Compensation for victims’ families
- Stricter fire safety protocols for commercial buildings
- Criminal proceedings if negligence is proven
- A possible **demolition** of Gul Plaza after rescue operations
DC South has already stated that the building is structurally unsafe and may collapse without warning — making every rescue attempt extremely risky.
🔥 Structural Damage — Why Experts Recommend Demolition
After inspecting the site, Karachi’s technical committee revealed:
- The building’s main support pillars were severely compromised.
- Heat weakened steel reinforcements inside walls.
- Upper floors are dangerously unstable.
- A partial collapse could trigger a complete collapse.
Experts conclude that repairing Gul Plaza is impossible and demolition is the only safe option once rescue operations end.
🔥 Shopkeepers’ Losses – A Financial Catastrophe
Gul Plaza housed nearly 1,200 shops. Many shopkeepers lost:
- Entire stock worth millions
- Business records
- Cash stored in lockers
- Equipment & machinery
For many families, these losses represent the destruction of their only source of income. Hundreds of workers are now unemployed and uncertain about the future.
🔥 Eyewitness Accounts – “It Felt Like Doomsday”
Multiple eyewitnesses described the fire as:
“A massive wall of flames rising from the center of the building.”
“We heard people screaming from inside, but the smoke was too thick to enter.”
“The heat was so intense, we could not stand within 20 feet of the gate.”
Survivors recount running through thick smoke, climbing walls, and smashing windows just to escape.
🔥 Internal Linking (Related News)
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🔥 What Happens Next?
Rescue teams are still recovering bodies and searching through dangerous debris zones. After the operation ends:
- The building will likely be demolished.
- A detailed forensic report will be released.
- Government may introduce stricter fire safety rules.
- Families will continue to demand justice.
🔥 Conclusion
The Gul Plaza fire tragedy has exposed massive loopholes in Karachi’s commercial safety infrastructure. From poor building design to lack of fire alarms, blocked exits, and risky storage practices — every factor contributed to turning a late-night fire into a national tragedy.
As families mourn and rescue workers continue their heroic efforts, the incident stands as a stark reminder that without urgent reforms, such disasters will continue to haunt Pakistan’s major cities.
Thank you for staying connected with Flash Global News. We will continue updating this story as more verified information becomes available. Stay informed, stay safe and keep visiting our blog for reliable,fast and detailed breaking news coverage.
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