KARACHI – Chaos and grief gripped Karachi as rescue teams continue their desperate search for victims in the ruins of Gul Plaza, a shopping center that was almost completely destroyed by a massive fire that broke out on Saturday night.
According to the resucers, the death toll has risen to 26 as of Monday eve, with dozens still missing in the debris. Firefighters managed to bring the inferno under control by Monday afternoon, but by then, the majority of the multi-story building had already collapsed. Experts warn that the remaining structure is unstable, prompting the placement of cranes around the site to prevent further disaster.
Gul Plaza, located on the historic M.A. Jinnah Road in the Saddar area, was a hub of commerce in one of Karachi’s busiest business districts. Directly across the street lies the city’s largest mobile phone and electronics market, adding to the area’s frenetic activity.
The plaza was famous for its affordable household items, clothing, cosmetics, utensils, toys, and more, attracting shoppers from all walks of life. The sprawling multi-story complex was larger than a football field and housed thousands of shops, warehouses, and storerooms.
Investigators say the deadly combination of flammable materials, including clothes, plastic, and cardboard boxes, narrow pathways, and a dangerously substandard electrical system made the disaster almost inevitable. Entrance to the plaza’s interior was a maze of aisles crammed with goods and tangled electrical wires.
Visitors attempting to reach the upper floors faced spiraling, narrow staircases that tested the courage of most shoppers.
Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) confirmed that Gul Plaza was originally constructed in the 1980s, with an additional floor added in 1998. According to SBCA records, the building was only permitted three floors, including a basement, but unauthorized construction had transformed the parking areas into shops and the rooftop into a parking space.
The additional floor was regularized in 2003, and the owner obtained a completion certificate on April 14 of that year. While the original plan allowed for 1,021 shops, over time, 179 extra shops were illegally added, including in corridors and emergency exits, significantly compromising safety.
As rescue teams comb through the wreckage, the tragic fire at Gul Plaza has become a chilling reminder of the deadly risks posed by overcrowded buildings and lax safety standards in Karachi.
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