A devastating fire engulfed the Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi on the night of October 7, 2023, resulting in the tragic deaths of six individuals and injuries to at least eleven others. Emergency services received an urgent call at 22:38 local time, indicating that shops on the ground floor were ablaze.
Upon arrival, rescue teams discovered that the flames had rapidly spread from the ground floor to the upper levels, causing extensive damage to the structure. According to the spokesperson for Rescue 1122, Hassanul Haseeb Khan, “almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames.”
The aftermath of the fire left local store owners in distress, watching as their livelihoods turned to ash. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as hundreds gathered outside the building, many in shock over the loss of their businesses.
Authorities reported that six bodies were subsequently transported to Karachi’s Civil Hospital, as well as eleven injured individuals receiving medical attention. Dr. Summaiya Syed, a police surgeon, confirmed the casualty figures and stated that police were implementing “mass disaster protocols” in response to the incident.
Images emerging from the scene depicted the mall’s interior as unrecognizable, with charred remnants of stores and an unsettling orange glow from the flames that continued to rise through the building. Reports from local media indicated that parts of the structure had begun to collapse, raising concerns about the possibility of the entire building succumbing to the fire.
With the investigation still ongoing, local authorities are working to assess the cause of the fire and ensure the safety of the area. The community remains in mourning as they process the tragic events of the night, reflecting on the impact of this disaster on both the victims’ families and local businesses.
As the situation develops, more information will be made available regarding the fire’s cause and the response efforts from local services.
