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Pakistan mall fire death toll jumps to 67

9 articles
3 sources
0% diversity
Updated 23.1.2026
Key Topics & People
Karachi *Gul Plaza Pakistan Sindh Syed Asad Raza

Coverage Framing

9
Human Interest(9)
Avg Factuality:86%
Avg Sensationalism:Moderate

Story Timeline

Jan 23, 2026

1 articles|1 sources
mall firedeath tollpakistankarachishopping centre
Human Interest(1)
BBC News - WorldJan 23

Pakistan mall fire death toll jumps to 67

A fire at the Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, has resulted in a death toll of 67, with 77 people still missing. The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening, took over 24 hours to extinguish, hindering rescue efforts within the 6,500 sq m complex. Authorities have only identified 15 victims so far. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but witnesses reported locked fire exits and overcrowding contributed to the disaster. The shopping center, containing approximately 1,200 shops, was particularly busy due to the ongoing wedding season in Karachi. Most of the shopping center's gates were locked as the facility was due to close soon.

MeasuredFactual4 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

The death toll in a fire which engulfed a shopping centre in Pakistan has climbed to 67.

— police

factual

77 people are currently reported as missing by their families following the fire at Gul Plaza.

— police

factual

Gul Plaza had housed some 1,200 shops, spread across multiple floors.

— null

quote

It only took about 'five to seven minutes' for everything to 'burn before our eyes'.

— Rehan Faisal

factual

All but three of the centre's 16 exits were locked.

— Syed Asad Raza

Jan 22, 2026

1 articles|1 sources
shopping centre firedeath tollkarachigul plazasearch and recovery
Human Interest(1)
Al JazeeraJan 22

Death toll in Pakistan shopping centre fire rises to at least 60

The death toll from a fire at the Gul Plaza Shopping Centre in Karachi, Pakistan, has risen to at least 60 as of January 22, 2026. The increase occurred after search and recovery teams discovered approximately 30 bodies inside a locked shop on the mezzanine floor. Victims reportedly sought refuge in the shop, "Dubai Crockery," to escape a stampede during the initial outbreak of the fire on the previous Saturday. Authorities are working to identify the deceased through DNA analysis, with over 50 families providing samples. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered a halt to debris removal until all bodies are recovered, as officials warn the death toll may continue to rise. Approximately 80 people are still missing.

MeasuredFactual5 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

30 bodies were recovered from a mezzanine-floor shop, “Dubai Crockery”.

— Karachi South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso

factual

The death toll from a fire at a shopping centre in Karachi has risen to at least 60.

— Pakistani officials

quote

The overall death toll was estimated at 61 following the latest discoveries.

— Karachi South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza

factual

Teams are working to locate more than 80 people still missing from Saturday’s blaze.

— officials

factual

The victims had locked themselves in the shop in a bid to protect themselves.

— Karachi South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso

Jan 21, 2026

1 articles|1 sources
mall firelocked exitspanicgul plazamissing people
Human Interest(1)
BBC News - WorldJan 21

Locked exits, panic and desperate calls for help: Survivors tell of mall fire horror

A large fire engulfed Gul Plaza, a wholesale shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday evening, leaving dozens missing and presumed dead. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but its rapid spread was reportedly worsened by locked exits and crowded conditions within the building, which housed around 1,200 shops. Survivors reported panic and confusion as the fire quickly consumed the market, which was popular for its affordable goods. Many people are still unaccounted for, leaving families in distress as they await news of their loved ones. The incident highlights concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness in densely populated commercial areas.

Mixed toneFactual5 sources
Negative

Key Claims

quote

The first exit I tried was locked and the crowds were too dense for me to go the other way.

— Shoiab

quote

It only took about 'five to seven minutes' for everything to 'burn before our eyes'.

— Rehan Faisal

factual

Dozens of people are still missing after Gul Plaza caught fire on Saturday evening.

— BBC Urdu

factual

All but three of the centre's 16 exits were locked.

— Syed Asad Raza (Senior police official)

factual

Gul Plaza housed an estimated 1,200 shops across a basement, mezzanine and three floors.

— BBC Urdu

Jan 20, 2026

1 articles|1 sources
gul plaza firekarachifire safetybuilding safetyrescue efforts
Human Interest(1)
Al JazeeraJan 20

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

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.

Mixed toneFactual6 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

A fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi killed at least 23 people.

— null

factual

The fire at Gul Plaza was the city’s biggest fire in more than a decade.

— null

factual

The Sindh government announced compensation of 10 million rupees ($35,000) for each family that lost a loved one.

— Mayor Murtaza Wahab

factual

More than 60 people remained missing after the firefighting operation.

— Mayor Murtaza Wahab

factual

The fire may have been triggered by a short circuit.

— Sindh Police Inspector General Javed Alam Odho

Jan 19, 2026

2 articles|2 sources
death tollmissing peoplekarachimall fireshopping centre fire
Human Interest(2)
Al JazeeraJan 19

Death toll in Karachi mall fire rises to at least 14 in Pakistan

A fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, has resulted in at least 14 deaths, with over 50 people still missing as of Monday, January 19, 2026. The fire, which began late Saturday, took firefighters approximately 36 hours to control. Rescue teams are using mobile phone data and family details to locate the missing individuals. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori stated that over 70 people were initially reported missing, calling the incident a "national tragedy." Authorities have warned that the building is unstable, and firefighting efforts have restarted due to continued flames. A police investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Mixed toneFactual5 sources
Negative
South China Morning PostJan 19

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

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.

MeasuredFactual4 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

The death toll from a fire at a shopping mall in Karachi has risen to at least 14.

— Pakistani authorities

factual

More than 50 people remain missing after the Karachi mall fire.

— null

factual

Eight more bodies had been recovered since Sunday evening.

— Syed Asad Raza, South deputy inspector general of police

factual

Firefighting efforts had restarted, as flames continued to emerge on a portion of the mall.

— Abid Jalal, rescue chief operating officer

factual

11 people died in a fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre in Karachi.

— Police surgeon Summaiya Syed

Jan 18, 2026

3 articles|2 sources
karachifireshopping mallfirefightersbuilding collapse
Human Interest(3)
BBC News - WorldJan 18

Six killed in Pakistan shopping mall fire

A fire at the Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, has killed six people, including one firefighter, and injured over 20. The fire, which began on Saturday, quickly spread through the multi-story building, which contains 1,200 stores and flammable materials. Parts of the building have collapsed, hindering rescue efforts, and over 30 people are reported missing. Emergency services are struggling to control the blaze, and there are concerns about further collapses. Authorities have set up a desk to register missing persons, and Pakistan's President has ordered a review of safety regulations for commercial and residential buildings in the Sindh province.

MeasuredFactual6 sources
Negative
Al JazeeraJan 18

At least six killed in Pakistan as fire rips through Karachi shopping mall

A major fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday, January 18, 2026, has killed at least six people and injured about 20. The densely packed commercial complex, containing roughly 1,200 shops, burned for hours, with authorities managing to control about 30 percent of the blaze by early Sunday. Rescue officials fear people may still be trapped inside, and part of the building collapsed due to the fire's intensity. Initial findings suggest a short circuit in one of the shops caused the fire to spread rapidly. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed condolences and ordered assistance for those affected.

MeasuredFactual5 sources
Negative
Al JazeeraJan 18

Deadly fire rips through Karachi shopping mall

A deadly fire ripped through the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday night, January 18, 2026. The multi-storey building was engulfed in flames, resulting in at least five fatalities and numerous injuries. Firefighters were dispatched to combat the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by authorities. The incident occurred at the Gul Plaza shopping mall.

Mixed toneFactual
Negative

Key Claims

factual

A fire at a shopping centre in Karachi has killed six people.

— null

factual

Parts of the Gul Plaza, containing 1,200 stores, have collapsed.

— null

factual

One firefighter is among the dead, more than 20 people have been injured.

— null

factual

More than 30 people have been reported missing by their families.

— null

factual

The shopping centre contains flammable materials such as plastic foam, cloth, carpets and perfume.

— Hassan Khan, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122