The devastating fire at the Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road has shattered Karachi’s commercial hub, causing losses worth billions and claiming six lives, including a firefighter. But the real crisis now is not the fire itself — it is the growing number of missing persons, the uncertainty surrounding them and the urgent need for DNA identification.
Authorities have issued an official list of 42 missing persons, but it is believed that the actual number could exceed up to 70, as many may still be trapped inside the collapsed and charred structure. Families of the missing are arriving in large numbers at the site and hospitals, desperate for news of their loved ones.
Among the missing is Dr Ayesha, who was reportedly inside the building at the time of the fire. Her father told reporters that she was pregnant and had visited the Gul Plaza to shop for her unborn child. He last spoke to her around 11pm, when she had called and said: “Save us.” Her family, like many others, is still waiting anxiously for any news of her whereabouts.
While the fire destroyed hundreds of shops and left traders financially ruined, the biggest concern remains the uncertainty over the missing. Many bodies recovered from the site are yet to be identified, and rescue officials fear the rubble may still contain trapped people.
To address this, authorities have begun collecting DNA samples from relatives of missing persons. These samples will be used for DNA profiling to match with recovered bodies and ensure accurate identification. Officials say this is the only reliable method to confirm the fate of those who are missing.
The CPLC Shanakht Programme has set up a help desk outside the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre to register missing persons and collect DNA samples from families. So far 42 people have registered their missing relatives, while six families have already provided detailed information.
CPLC officials stressed that many bodies recovered from the site cannot be identified visually. They added that the team had previously conducted DNA-based identification in major disasters, and the same procedure is being applied at the Gul Plaza.
One of the deceased has been identified as firefighter Furqan Shaukat, who was killed when debris, including a generator, fell on top of him during a search operation. Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad expressed deep sorrow over his martyrdom, and said the municipal administration would provide full support to his family.
Authorities say more than 60 people are missing, and the South deputy commissioner has established a dedicated missing persons desk and helpline for families to report and trace their relatives.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the main priority is to locate all the missing persons, and ensure that the affected families receive relief. He confirmed that the government would support traders who suffered losses, and said investigations would be launched if any negligence or delay is found.
The fire broke out late on Saturday night, shortly after 10pm, and quickly spread through the multi-storey plaza, which housed around 1,200 shops. Officials classified it as a third-degree fire, fuelled by highly flammable materials such as artificial flowers, bags, carpets and other goods stored in the shops and warehouses.
Firefighters and rescue teams continued operations into Sunday. Authorities said that 60 to 70 per cent of the fire has been controlled, but intermittent flare-ups continue, complicating rescue work. A section of the building collapsed during the operations, raising serious concerns about structural stability and increasing the risk of more casualties.
Rescue officials warned that the front portion of the plaza could collapse at any moment, making it extremely dangerous for teams to enter. The building is old and structurally weak, lacking proper fire exits and ventilation. It was originally approved for 400 shops but had nearly 1,200 shops built, a major violation of safety regulations.
So far seven bodies have been recovered. In addition to firefighter Furqan Shaukat, the dead include traders and workers. Twenty-two people were injured and are being treated at the Burns Ward of the Civil Hospital Karachi, with some in critical condition due to severe smoke inhalation and burns.
The first fire engine reached the site around 10:27pm. Firefighting efforts involved multiple agencies, including the Fire Brigade, the Pakistan Navy, the Karachi Port Trust, Rescue 1122 and other emergency services.
Authorities said 20 to 22 fire engines, 10 water bowsers, four snorkel vehicles and over 125 personnel were involved. The Pakistan Navy deployed five fire tenders and around 70 personnel.
The Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation ensured uninterrupted water supply. Under the direction of CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, hydrants at Nipa and Safoora were placed on emergency status, and water tankers were dispatched immediately to support firefighting operations.
Police and Rangers, along with other security forces, were deployed to maintain law and order and ensure that rescue operations continued without obstruction. The Sindh government also established helplines for missing persons, and directed that all routes be cleared for emergency vehicles.
Authorities appealed to the public to avoid entering the area and keep roads clear for rescue teams. The provincial police chief warned that the building’s instability could cause sudden collapse, posing a threat to both rescue workers and civilians.
