Gul Plaza fire: How a deadly inferno exposed Karachi’s safety failures

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Abid HussainJanuary 20, 2026 at 04:07 PM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

A large fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping center on January 20, 2026, resulted in at least 23 deaths, including a firefighter, and dozens missing. The fire, the city's largest in over a decade, broke out on Saturday at the three-story commercial building, which houses over 1,200 shops. Rescue efforts have been hampered by collapsed building sections, debris, and poor ventilation. City authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident, and the Sindh government is providing compensation to the families of the deceased. The Gul Plaza fire highlights ongoing concerns about building safety, rescue capabilities, and urban governance in Karachi.

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Reuters 30% MA Jinnah Road 40% Sindh ×260% Gul Plaza ×470% Murtaza Wahab ×270% Pakistan ×580% Gul Plaza fire ×490% Karachi ×790%

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gul plaza fire 100% karachi 90% fire safety 80% building safety 70% rescue efforts 70% urban governance 60% fire department 50% shopping centre 50% sindh 40%