Death Toll Rises To 14 In Karachi Mall Fire; Over 70 Still Missing

A devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall has deepened into a major national tragedy as the death toll rose to 14 on Monday.

Rescue teams recovered eight more bodies from the charred building, intensifying fears for more than 70 people still missing.

The massive blaze broke out late Saturday night and continued to rage for hours, trapping shoppers, traders, and workers inside the multi-storey complex.

Authorities confirmed that search and rescue operations remain active as emergency teams comb through debris and smoke-filled floors.

Public anger has, however, surged sharply. Residents, traders, and opposition voices have slammed the Sindh government and the Karachi Mayor, accusing them of slow response and poor preparedness.

According to reports by the leading Pakistani daily Dawn, authorities could have controlled the fire much earlier.

Delays and inadequate resources allowed flames to spread unchecked.

Eyewitnesses told local media that firefighters struggled due to water shortages. Several residents claimed officials repeatedly cited a lack of water on Saturday night, severely hampering rescue efforts.

Full-scale firefighting reportedly began only early Sunday, long after the blaze intensified.

Traders and nearby residents stressed that prompt action by the nearest fire station and civic agencies could have prevented the scale of loss. They argued that timely coordination might have saved lives, property, and livelihoods.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori visited the site on Monday to assess the situation.

Addressing reporters, he confirmed that over 70 individuals remain unaccounted for. He further described the missing persons reports as ‘deeply alarming’ and called the incident a national tragedy.

Rescuers are actively searching for a pregnant woman trapped inside the building. Authorities said they will continue operations until they account for every missing person.

South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza stated that firefighting operations had concluded. He further confirmed that cooling efforts were underway, with debris removal led by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Town Municipal Corporations, and Pakistan Navy personnel.

Rescue teams continue to work against time amid unstable structures and lingering smoke.

Officials said investigations into fire safety lapses and administrative failures will follow. For now, Karachi watches anxiously as the search for survivors continues.

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