Karachi’s Gul Plaza Inferno: Death Toll Rises To 14 As Army Joins Desperate Search For 60 Missing

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — The tragedy at Karachi’s Gul Plaza has deepened as the confirmed death toll rose to 14 on Monday morning, January 19, 2026. After more than 36 hours of relentless firefighting, rescue teams recovered five additional bodies—including a child—from the charred debris late Sunday night.

As cooling operations continue, a sense of dread hangs over the site. Despite the recovery efforts, authorities have confirmed that between 54 and 59 people remain missing, with family members gathered outside the ruins in a heart-wrenching vigil.

1. The Rescue Operation: A Race Against Time

With the fire now largely under control, the focus has shifted to a perilous search and rescue mission. The Pakistan Army and the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) have been called in to assist civil authorities.

• Structural Integrity: Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed warned that the 1980s-era building is “extremely unstable” and at risk of a total collapse.
• Specialized Tactics: Teams are using thermal cameras to detect heat signatures through the dense smoke and are literally “breaking in” by cutting through metal windows and hammers to bypass blocked stairwells.
• Limited Access: Currently, rescuers have only managed to reach about 5% to 10% of the building’s vast interior.

2. Digital Lifelines: Tracing the Trapped

In a race to locate those still inside, the Karachi Police have turned to technology.

• Mobile Tracking: Investigators have obtained the phone numbers of 59 missing persons.
• Signal Hotspots: Locations for more than 20 individuals were traced to specific points deep inside the building before their phones went dead. Rescue teams are prioritizing these “active zones” for entry.

3. The Economic Toll and Political Fallout

Gul Plaza, a cornerstone of Karachi’s historic commercial district, housed approximately 1,200 shops selling everything from garments and electronics to highly flammable plastics and perfumes.

• Total Loss: Traders association representatives described the complex as “reduced to zero,” with 20 years of investment turned to ash.
• Political Scrutiny: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the site on Sunday, promising transparent compensation for victims. However, he and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab faced heckling from angry traders who criticized the delayed official response and lack of fire safety enforcement.

Disaster Statistics at a Glance