Karachi: Pakistan’s deadliest mall fire in years has been linked to ignored safety warnings and a delayed emergency response, according to official records and investigators.
The blaze broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping complex in Karachi late at night last week. The multistorey building housed more than a thousand small shops and storage units. Thick smoke quickly spread through the building, trapping workers and night guards inside.
The death toll has now risen to at least 71, while dozens of people are still missing. Many bodies were badly burned, making identification difficult. Authorities are using DNA tests to confirm the identities of victims.
Investigators say the mall had failed multiple fire safety inspections over several years. Reports had warned about blocked exits, faulty alarms and a lack of emergency lighting. These warnings were not acted upon, and the building continued to operate without major improvements.
Police believe the fire started in a shop that sold artificial flowers and plastic goods. The exact cause is still under investigation, but flammable materials inside the mall helped the fire spread rapidly.
Survivors said most emergency exits were locked when the fire started. Smoke filled stairways and corridors, leaving people with no clear escape route. Several workers tried to break windows or find roof access to survive.
Rescue operations were slow in the first hours because of heavy smoke and poor access to the upper floors. Firefighters struggled to reach trapped people as flames spread through narrow passages.
Families of the victims gathered outside hospitals and morgues, waiting for news of missing relatives. Many shop owners said they lost their entire livelihood in the fire.
The provincial government has ordered a full inquiry into the disaster and promised action against those responsible for safety failures. Officials have also announced compensation for the families of the dead and injured.
The tragedy has renewed public anger over weak enforcement of building safety rules in Pakistan’s largest city. Experts say similar disasters can be avoided if fire codes are followed strictly and inspections are taken seriously.
As rescue teams continue to clear debris from the burned structure, authorities warn that the final death toll could still rise.