KARACHI: The devastating Gul Plaza fire, which killed at least 71 people and left 15 missing, has been linked to ignored safety warnings Gul Plaza inferno and delayed emergency response, according to survivor accounts and official records reviewed by Reuters.
Read More: Death toll from Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire rises to 71
The blaze erupted on January 17 at an artificial flower shop on the ground floor, spreading rapidly through the 1,200-shop, multi-storey complex. Survivors described locked doors, poor ventilation, and crowded corridors that made escape nearly impossible. Many fled to the roof, where smoke forced them to improvise rescue by crossing to neighboring buildings. Shopkeepers reported that first responders arrived quickly, but firefighting efforts were hindered by heavy traffic, insufficient equipment, and the presence of gas cylinders, perfumes, generators, and car batteries that fueled the blaze.
گل پلازہ آتشزدگی میں اب تک متعدد ہلاکتوں کی تصدیق ہوچکی ہے جبکہ اب بھی درجنوں افراد لاپتہ ہیں۔ واقعے کے پہلے روز سے موجود خاندان اس بات کی تصدیق کررہے ہیں کہ آگ سے تباہ شدہ عمارت میں اب بھی کئی افراد محصورہیں۔ سوچ نے ایسے ہی کچھ افراد سے بات کی جن کے پیارے حادثے کے وقت گل پلازہ… pic.twitter.com/ZasqCMW00x
— Soch سوچ (@SochVideos) January 24, 2026
Historical documents show Gul Plaza violated fire safety regulations for decades, with warnings issued in 1992, 2015, 2021, and in fire department audits from 2023 and 2024 highlighting blocked exits, inadequate alarms, and poor emergency preparedness. Despite court cases and inspections, safety measures were never fully implemented.
Survivors mourned colleagues who stayed behind to help others escape. “All of this keeps replaying in front of my eyes. People we saw daily are no longer among us,” said crockery shop owner Muhammad Imran, a survivor.
The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for strict enforcement of building regulations, mandatory emergency exits, and robust fire safety measures across Karachi’s commercial centers. Authorities have registered an FIR citing negligence and pledged compensation and reconstruction for affected shopkeepers.
Read More: Gul Plaza deaths rise to 60 as 30 bodies recovered from shop
The Gul Plaza fire underscores the deadly consequences of regulatory neglect, poor infrastructure, and insufficient disaster preparedness in urban commercial buildings.