Families of people feared to be trapped in the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi continue to wait in anguish as rescue operations move forward, with authorities admitting that there is still no confirmed information about the whereabouts of several individuals.
The blaze erupted at the multi-storey commercial building, triggering panic in the area and forcing the evacuation of nearby shops and offices. Fire brigade teams, police, and other emergency services have been working continuously to control the fire and search for people believed to have been inside when it broke out.
Relatives of missing persons have gathered outside the building and at nearby hospitals, desperately seeking updates. Many families say they were in contact with their loved ones shortly before the fire started, but all communication was lost soon after. Emotional scenes have unfolded as families move between rescue points, hospitals, and police desks hoping for any trace of information.
Officials involved in the operation said rescue work has been severely hampered by thick smoke, structural damage, and flammable material inside the building. While several people have been rescued and treated for injuries, authorities confirmed that the exact number of those still missing or trapped remains unclear.
Emergency teams are using specialised equipment to reach affected floors, while cooling operations are ongoing to prevent further flare-ups. Police have also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and whether safety regulations were properly followed.
Authorities have assured families that all available resources are being used and that verified updates will be shared as soon as possible. However, with no clear answers yet, the prolonged wait has intensified the pain for families who remain at the site, clinging to hope amid uncertainty.
The incident has once again highlighted serious concerns over fire safety in Karachi’s commercial buildings, with growing calls for stricter enforcement and accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.
