Deadly Fire Engulfs Karachi Mall, Dozens Feared Missing

Firefighters in Karachi continued search and rescue operations on Sunday after a massive blaze swept through a shopping mall in the city’s historic downtown, killing at least six people and leaving more than 65 unaccounted for, officials said, as reported by Reuters. The fire caused extensive damage and partially collapsed the multi-storey building.

The fire broke out late Saturday night at the Gul Plaza shopping centre, which houses more than 1,200 shops. Rescue teams battled the flames for over 24 hours to prevent them from spreading in the densely packed commercial district, before shifting to cooling operations amid smouldering debris and unstable structures.

Officials said poor ventilation and the nature of goods stored inside, including carpets and synthetic materials, intensified the fire and hampered rescue efforts. Police said preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have been triggered by a circuit breaker fault. Rescue authorities confirmed at least 20 people were injured in addition to the fatalities.

Hundreds of people gathered at the site, including distressed shop owners who said their livelihoods were destroyed. Rescue officials warned that parts of the building remain at risk of collapse. Authorities said operations would continue until all missing persons are accounted for and safety risks are addressed.