The death toll from the devastating fire at Gul Plaza shopping complex has risen to 26, with authorities warning that many more may remain trapped under the rubble as search and rescue operations continue amid extremely challenging conditions. Firefighting and recovery teams have been working for days to clear debris and locate survivors or bodies after the massive blaze engulfed the multistory market on Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road over the weekend.
Officials confirmed that 83 people are still missing, and the toll is expected to climb further as rescuers cautiously enter unstable sections of the damaged structure. The ground and first floors have been cleared, but efforts to reach the second and third floors are slow due to the risk of further collapse and the complex nature of the wreckage.
Rescue teams have employed heavy machinery to remove cars and debris from the site while firefighters fight lingering smouldering pockets. Many of the recovered remains are severely burned and require forensic identification, including DNA testing, before formal confirmation can be made. Families of the missing continue to gather near the site, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones as emergency crews work around the clock in difficult conditions.
The blaze, one of the worst in Karachi in recent years, highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety compliance, building standards and emergency response readiness in densely populated commercial areas.