Karachi Pakistan-A massive fire erupted late Saturday night at the Gul Plaza shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, engulfing the multistory commercial building and sparking one of the worst urban tragedies in recent years. The blaze, believed to have started around 10:15 pm, spread rapidly through the structure that housed over 1,200 shops, fueled by flammable merchandise and inadequate fire safety measures. Firefighters and rescue teams battled the inferno for more than 36 hours before it was fully brought under control, but not before the building suffered extensive damage and partial collapse, complicating rescue efforts. At least 28 people have been confirmed dead, and authorities continue searching for many others feared trapped under the rubble as rescue operations proceed amid hazardous conditions.
The tragedy has triggered widespread grief and anger, with families of the missing demanding answers and better safety enforcement in commercial buildings across the city. Officials have launched a formal inquiry to determine the fire’s cause and assess potential negligence in construction and safety compliance, while the Sindh government pledges support and compensation for victims’ families. Karachi’s mayor and provincial leaders have also vowed to strengthen fire safety regulations and emergency response systems to prevent similar disasters in the future. The Gul Plaza blaze has once again highlighted long-standing concerns over lax enforcement of building codes and the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness in densely populated urban centres.
