Rescue teams search for missing after Karachi mall fire kills over 20

The death toll from a fire that devastated a major shopping complex in Pakistan’s largest city rose to 21 on Monday, officials said, as rescue teams continued searching for dozens of people feared trapped under rubble and debris.

The figures varied slightly between provincial authorities and local officials. The deputy commissioner of Karachi South, Javed Nabi Khoso, told Nukta that some rescue teams were reporting different numbers because they were counting body parts recovered at the site, while police records showed 18 confirmed deaths. However, provincial government officials said the toll stood at 21.

The blaze tore through Gul Plaza, a multi-story commercial building on the busy MA Jinnah Road, late Saturday night. Firefighters battled the inferno for more than 24 hours before finally bringing it under control on Sunday.

Videos showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters labored through the night to put out the blaze. On Monday, they began cooling the structure and clearing twisted metal and debris strewn across the street, along with fallen air-conditioning units and shop signboards.

People gather as emergency personnel search for survivors, following a massive fire that broke out in the Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Karachi, Pakistan, January 19, 2026. Reuters

Rescue efforts continue amid rising toll

Rescue workers recovered five additional bodies overnight and early Monday, police and hospital officials said, bringing the confirmed death toll to 21. Authorities warned the number could still rise as teams searched through the wreckage.

“The firefighting operation has been completed, and the cooling process is now underway,” Sindh Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza said, adding that municipal authorities were clearing debris with support from the Pakistan Navy.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who visited the site on Monday, said up to 70 people remained missing, and the provincial government had set up emergency helplines for families seeking information.

Fire suspected to start from electrical fault

Officials suspect an electrical short circuit caused the fire, but the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.

The fire began at around 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, quickly escalating into a major blaze that engulfed the ground floor and three upper levels. Heavy smoke, structural damage and repeated flare-ups slowed rescue operations.

Market destroyed, traders suffer huge losses

An estimated 40% of the market was destroyed, including roughly 1,200 shops and storage units, officials said. Merchandise worth millions of dollars was reduced to ashes, dealing a severe blow to traders.

More than 30 people were treated for injuries or smoke inhalation, officials added.

Firefighter dies during rescue

Rescue efforts were further marred by tragedy when Karachi Municipal Corporation firefighter Furqan Ali was killed after being crushed by falling debris during operations on Sunday morning. His death prompted widespread tributes from political leaders.

Police and paramilitary Rangers cordoned off the area to prevent unauthorized access, while distraught families gathered nearby, awaiting news of missing relatives.

Compensation announced for victims

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced PKR 10 million in compensation for each family of those killed and said the destroyed building would be rebuilt.

Speaking at a news conference in Karachi on Monday, Shah described the blaze as a “major incident” and said the structural damage may require the entire building to be demolished.

He said firefighters were attempting to enter the building from three directions but lingering hotspots had delayed full extinguishment.

Shah added that compensation payments would begin on Tuesday, and an official inquiry would be conducted under the supervision of the Karachi commissioner. He said while no individual was being singled out, action would follow if evidence of negligence or sabotage emerged.

Leaders offer condolences

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued separate statements expressing grief over the loss of life and praising emergency responders.

Both leaders spoke by phone with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, urging full deployment of resources for rescue and relief operations. They also called for stronger enforcement of fire safety regulations to prevent similar disasters.

The prime minister directed federal agencies to support provincial authorities, emphasizing the need for coordinated emergency response systems in densely populated urban areas.

The blaze could be Karachi's biggest since an industrial site went up in flames in 2012, killing more than 260 people. A court ruled in 2020 that the disaster involved arson.