Karachi’s bustling Gul Plaza shopping complex became a scene of unimaginable horror as a massive fire burned unchecked for 13 hours, pushing the death toll to 14 and leaving more than 70 people missing. The tragedy unfolded late Saturday, with rescue squads pulling additional bodies from the rubble on Monday.
Intense criticism has targeted the Sindh government and city officials for their delayed intervention. Traders and residents lament that swift action from the nearest fire station could have contained the blaze early, averting widespread devastation. Instead, operations only gained momentum Sunday morning.
The two-acre mall’s design flaws—no adequate ventilation and tightly packed shops—fueled the fire’s ferocity. Rescuers faced scorching heat that made interior access impossible for hours, complicating efforts to locate survivors.
Governor Kamran Tessori toured the site, calling the missing persons reports ‘extremely worrying,’ especially with a pregnant woman among them. He labeled it a national calamity, vowing comprehensive investigations.
Authorities have wrapped up firefighting, shifting to debris removal and cooling by joint teams including the navy. DIG Asad Raza reported the structure’s total ruin, pending official rulings from building control experts.
Hospitals treated 15 victims: most at Civil Hospital’s trauma unit, with quick discharges, and a few at Jinnah Hospital. The fire’s heat triggered partial collapses, burying potential victims under debris.
Chief fire officer Humayun Khan deployed extensive resources—20 tenders and snorkels—but admitted persistent edge fires and safety risks. Sindh Emergency Rescue 1122’s COO noted the multi-angle assault on the flames.
As searches press on, this disaster spotlights Pakistan’s inadequate emergency preparedness in commercial hubs, urging overhauls in building codes and response protocols to safeguard lives.
