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Tragic Gul Plaza Fire Claims 61 Lives, Many Missing

1/22/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, Pakistan, has killed at least 61 and left more than 80 missing.
Rescue teams recovered 30 bodies in a locked shop where victims sheltered.
Authorities are conducting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) matching to identify the dead.
The cause remains under investigation, with initial suspicions of an electrical fault.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has halted debris removal until all bodies are recovered.

History

Historical Context

The 2004 Karachi fire at Ali Enterprises, which killed 43 people, exposed critical safety failures in Pakistan's garment industry. This tragedy, alongside the recent Gul Plaza fire in 2026 that resulted in at least 21 deaths, underscores ongoing concerns about inadequate safety regulations in Karachi's commercial buildings. These incidents highlight the urgent need for reforms to protect lives in this densely populated urban center.

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Story summary

The Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, Pakistan, has killed at least 61 and left more than 80 missing.
Rescue teams recovered 30 bodies in a locked shop where victims sheltered.
Authorities are conducting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) matching to identify the dead.
The cause remains under investigation, with initial suspicions of an electrical fault.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has halted debris removal until all bodies are recovered.

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