Search and rescue operation continued on Thursday at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, days after a devastating fire tore through the shopping mall, killing more than 60 people and leaving dozens of families waiting for news of missing loved ones.
Read More: Rescue efforts continue at Gul Plaza as death toll reaches 29
The blaze erupted late Saturday night at the plaza on MA Jinnah Road and took more than 24 hours to bring under control. Firefighters were forced to resume operations on Monday after flames reignited from smouldering debris. Parts of the building collapsed due to the intensity of the fire, complicating rescue efforts.
Gul Plaza, a ground-plus-three-storey structure housing around 1,200 shops spread over nearly 8,000 square yards, was left severely damaged. Rescue 1122’s urban search and rescue teams continued to comb through the debris overnight, using specialised equipment, including cutters and thermal imaging cameras, to locate human remains.
Rescue operations at Gul Plaza are ongoing following the fire, as people report hearing cries for help from inside and call for permission to assist where the government has not acted.#GulPlaza #KarachiFire #TOKReports pic.twitter.com/wIU6PfFQsD
— Times of Karachi (@TOKCityOfLights) January 19, 2026
Relatives of the missing have expressed frustration over what they described as the slow pace of the recovery operation. Police Surgeon Dr Sumaiya Syed said more than 50 families had provided DNA samples to help identify victims. “We will hand over the remains to families once DNA matches are confirmed,” she said outside the Civil Hospital Karachi mortuary.
Among those waiting is Faraz Ali, whose father and 26-year-old brother were inside the plaza at the time of the fire. He said families were desperate to recover the bodies of their loved ones so they could perform last rites and find closure.
On Wednesday, rescuers recovered at least 30 bodies from a gutted shop on the mezzanine floor, pushing the estimated death toll to 61, according to Karachi South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza.
Read More: Gul Plaza fire death toll climbs to 30
Meanwhile, an inquiry committee formed by the Sindh government visited the site. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said the investigation had just begun and noted that fire safety measures in the building did not meet international standards. Additional IG Azad Khan said no evidence of sabotage had emerged so far.
Firefighting and cooling operations remain underway, with officials vowing to continue efforts until all victims buried under the debris are recovered.