Karaçi Gul Plaza Shopping Center Fire (2026)

Gul Plaza Shopping Center Fire (2026) was a major fire that occurred on the night of 17 January 2026 at the Gul Plaza shopping center on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, a city in Pakistan’s Sindh province. The fire resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people. The blaze completely engulfed the multistory building housing approximately 1,200 shops and was brought under control after 36 hours of firefighting efforts.

Fire at the shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, 18 January 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Origin and Progression of the Fire

The fire began on Saturday night, 17 January 2026, at approximately 22:14–22:15 at the Gul Plaza shopping center on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. The first emergency call was made at 22:38, and the first fire trucks arrived at the scene at 22:57.

The fire is reported to have started in a shop selling artificial flowers and planters. Flames spread rapidly from the ground floor to upper levels, affecting the majority of the 1,200 shops, which contained electrical appliances, textiles, cosmetics, and kitchen goods. Firefighting teams responded with 12 fire engines, 6 water tankers, and 2 snorkel units.

Operations were hampered during the response due to narrow access points, dense smoke, and water shortages. The fire burned for 36 hours, during which part of the building collapsed. Fire authorities announced that after extinguishing the fire, cooling and debris clearance operations had begun.

Post-fire observations indicated that most of the building had collapsed, and remaining sections were demolished using cranes.

Fire at the shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, 18 January 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Fatalities and Injuries

The number of fatalities was initially reported as six, but later rose to 31. Among the deceased were a child and Furqan Shaukat, a firefighter. The number of missing persons was reported as 83. DNA samples have been collected to identify the missing.

According to data from Rescue 1122 and the Karachi police, 22 people were injured in the incident. All injured individuals were discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.

Fire at the shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, 18 January 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Search and Rescue Operations

Following the containment of the fire, teams from Rescue 1122, the Karachi Fire Department, and the Karachi Municipal Corporation began debris removal and search operations. Rescue teams were able to enter the second floor of the building approximately 40 hours after the fire started. Search operations were conducted simultaneously at five separate locations. Teams frequently paused operations due to the risk of further collapse within the building.

Thirty-two vehicles located on the roof of the building (16 cars, 4 vans, 12 motorcycles, and 1 rickshaw) were lowered to the ground using cranes. Authorities confirmed that these vehicles were delivered safely to their owners.

Fire at the shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, 18 January 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Official Statements and Reactions

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in a statement following the fire, stated that 65 to 76 people were missing and that 22 injured individuals had been discharged from hospitals. Shah said, “I acknowledge that there were failures. I cannot yet say who is at fault. An investigation will be conducted and those responsible will be held accountable.”

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, after visiting the site, stated regarding the number of missing persons: “Reports of over 70 missing individuals are extremely alarming and constitute a major tragedy.” In the same statement, Tessori noted that the incident has become a “national tragedy.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a written statement, said: “During this painful and difficult time, we stand with the affected families and the Sindh government.”

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for all resources to be deployed under “full mobilization.” Zardari also proposed that firefighter Furqan Shaukat, who lost his life in the fire, be nominated for a civil merit award.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, after visiting the site, ordered that rescue operations be completed “at any cost.” He added: “All Karachi Municipal units will remain on alert until all missing persons are found.”

Sindh Government Spokesperson Sadia Javed reported that water shortages in the area were caused by the construction of the Green Line BRT and that emergency measures have been taken to address the issue. Javed also stated: “Many buildings in the old city lack emergency exits.”

In his latest statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed that the federal government will provide full support to Sindh and emphasized the necessity of establishing a coordinated fire control system in densely populated areas.

The fire at the shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 18, 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Investigations and Inquiries

Investigations into the cause of the fire were initiated immediately after the incident by police and local administration units. A probe committee has been established by the Sindh Provincial Government. Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, in his statement on the investigation, said: “A probe committee has begun its inquiries and evidence is being collected.”

Initial assumptions regarding the origin of the fire pointed to an electrical fault, but Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah clarified that this has not been confirmed, stating that “the cause is still unknown.” During site inspections, the building was found to be “structurally unstable.”

No evidence has been found to support allegations of sabotage. Karachi Additional Police Inspector General Azad Khan stated: “To date, no evidence of sabotage has been discovered.”