The death toll from the massive fire at Gul Plaza, a commercial building on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, has risen to 10, while around 60 people are still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Rescue workers recovered four more bodies, including that of a child late Sunday night from the charred remains of the building, taking the total number of confirmed fatalities to 10, reported news agency ANI.
The fire broke out late Saturday night and continued for more than 24 hours, severely damaging large sections of the multi-storey shopping complex. Firefighters said the intensity of the blaze and structural damage to the building have slowed rescue efforts.
🚨 BREAKING: KARACHI GUL PLAZA FIRE 🇵🇰🔥
• Up to 14 feared dead, 60+ still missing after massive blaze at Gul Plaza mall, Karachi
• Fire burned for over 36 hours; rescue ops ongoing amid collapse risks
• Police probing cause; unverified reports cite a “Dawood angle,” linking… pic.twitter.com/CQOEdVtoho
— GLOBAL PULSE 360 (@DataIsKnowldge) January 19, 2026
Rescue operations continue
Authorities said rescue teams have only been able to access a small portion of the building so far due to safety concerns.
“We have managed to access 5% to 10% of the building,” rescue worker Hassan Ahmed said, as quoted by ANI, adding that heavy machinery and thermal cameras were being used to search for possible survivors.
According to officials, 22 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowsers, four snorkel units and 33 ambulances have been deployed at the site. Military engineering teams have also joined the operation to help clear debris and assess the stability of the structure before further entry.
The cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed. Investigators are expected to examine whether safety violations or electrical faults contributed to the blaze once rescue operations are completed.
Dozens still missing
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who visited the site on Sunday evening, said that dozens of people were still unaccounted for.
“Around 58 to 60 people are still missing,” Shah said, adding that authorities were compiling records from shop owners and employees to determine how many people were inside the building when the fire broke out.
He said the provincial government would ensure transparent compensation for victims and affected shop owners once the rescue and recovery phase is complete.
Army assists civil authorities
The Pakistan Army has been called in to assist civil authorities with rescue and debris-clearing operations, officials said. Army personnel are working alongside firefighters, police and emergency services to speed up access to affected areas of the building.
Families of the missing continued to gather near the site on Sunday night, waiting for updates from rescue teams as operations remained underway.
