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Karachi’s Gul Plaza Fire Contained After 33 Hours; Death Toll Rises to 14

Sindh authorities launched an inquiry, pledging relief for traders as the damaged mall remains unstable.

Overview

  • Rescue officials said the main blaze is out and cooling is in progress, with parts of the structure collapsed and limited searches continuing with thermal cameras.
  • Authorities report 14 fatalities, including a firefighter, and at least 22 injured, while families and police list roughly 59–70 people as missing and are tracing phone locations.
  • Fire brigade officials say the blaze ignited at 10:14 p.m. in an artificial plants and flowers shop, with narrow passages, heavy smoke and later water shortages hampering the response.
  • Briefings to the chief minister cited more than 1,200 shops burned, prompting major commercial losses and a traders’ call to keep markets closed in mourning.
  • Multiple agencies joined the operation as water tankers were slowed by traffic; the chief minister ordered a citywide fire-safety audit and officials pledged compensation for affected traders.