Deadly Fire at Shopping Mall in Karachi Kills Five, Injures Dozens

At least five people have been killed in a major fire at a multi-storey shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan. The blaze broke out late Saturday night at Gul Plaza, located on M. A. Jinnah Road. Firefighting and rescue operations were still ongoing on Sunday morning, as the fire had not been fully extinguished.

Authorities confirmed that several victims were brought to hospital already dead, while the death toll later rose to five as rescue efforts continued. At least 20 people were injured in the incident and are receiving medical treatment at different hospitals.

Gul Plaza houses around 1,200 small and large shops selling clothing, electronics, perfumes, cosmetics and other goods. The presence of highly flammable materials contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the fire.

Fire service officials said the blaze had been partially brought under control by morning. However, the building is old and there is a serious risk of structural collapse, prompting rescuers to proceed with extreme caution.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire, officials added.