11 dead, over 60 missing after Pakistan shopping centre fire smoulders for 24 hours

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by ReutersJanuary 19, 2026 at 07:36 AM

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A large fire at the Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, which began late Saturday, has resulted in 11 deaths and over 60 missing people. The fire, believed to have been caused by a circuit breaker, burned for over 24 hours, hindering rescue efforts due to the building's poor ventilation and the presence of flammable materials. Firefighters are now working to cool the site and clear debris, while concerns remain about potential victims still trapped inside the multi-story building, which houses over 1,200 shops. Authorities are investigating the incident, with the focus now on search and recovery operations.

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Reuters 40% Sindh 50% Murtaza Wahab 60% Summaiya Syed 60% Javed Alam Odho 60% Gul Plaza ×270% Pakistan 80% Karachi ×390%

Keywords

shopping centre fire 100% karachi 80% missing people 70% death toll 60% firefighting 60% gul plaza 50% flammable materials 50% circuit breaker 40% rescue efforts 40%