KARACHI – The death toll in the Gul Plaza fire Karachi rose to at least 60 on Thursday with officials estimating 61 following the discovery of 30 bodies in a locked mezzanine-floor shop. Search and recovery operations continued at the three-storey Gul Plaza in Saddar district. The fire broke out on Saturday triggering a stampede in the crowded commercial building.
Victims locked themselves inside the Dubai Crockery store to escape the flames and smoke. Karachi South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza said the overall death toll was estimated at 61. Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso confirmed the 30 bodies came from that shop.
More than 80 people remain missing. Rescue teams collected DNA samples from remains while over 50 families submitted samples for identification.
Karachi Mall Fire Death Toll Climbs Amid Ongoing Recovery
The Karachi mall fire death toll surged after intensive searches in the debris. The blaze burned for more than 24 hours before firefighters brought it under control. Provincial health official Summaiya Syed said remains would be handed to families once DNA matching is complete.
Relatives criticised the pace of operations. Faraz Ali, 28, said: “That is all so that the families may receive something, some comfort, some peace. At least let us see them one last time, in whatever condition they are, so that we may say our final goodbye.”
Debris removal was halted temporarily on official orders to ensure no remains were overlooked.
Sindh Government Response To Gul Plaza Death Toll
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed grief over the rising Gul Plaza death toll and ordered debris clearance stopped until all bodies were recovered. He announced PKR 10 million compensation for each family of the deceased.
A committee was formed to investigate the fire. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said fire safety measures did not meet international standards.
Background Of Karachi Shopping Centre Fire
The Karachi shopping centre fire highlights persistent safety failures in the city. Karachi has seen multiple deadly incidents blamed on poor standards and illegal construction. A 2012 garments factory fire killed 260 people. In November 2023 a shopping centre blaze killed 10 and injured 22.
Gul Plaza stands in a densely packed commercial area. Panic during the initial stampede worsened the tragedy as people rushed for exits that proved inadequate. Firefighters and rescue teams worked around the clock using specialised equipment to navigate collapsed sections.
What’s Next After Gul Plaza Fire Karachi
The Sindh government pledged safety audits for similar buildings and expects the probe committee to deliver recommendations soon. Compensation of PKR 10 million per family will be disbursed promptly. DNA identification continues as families await answers.
The Gul Plaza fire Karachi underscores the urgent need to enforce stricter building and fire safety rules across Pakistan’s largest city.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 22nd, 2026
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