Firefighters in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday finally extinguished a blaze at a multistory shopping plaza after a nearly 24-hour-long effort. the fire left six people dead, including a firefighter, and dozens missing, officials said.
The fire broke out late Saturday at Gul Plaza, and spread rapidly through shops stocked with cosmetics, garments and plastic goods, according to Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, the city’s chief rescue officer.
The fire has been put out and now a search for dozens of missing people is underway, said Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister in the Sindh province of which Karachi is the capital. Earlier, authorities had said crews needed another four to six hours to bring the blaze fully under control.
Five bodies were recovered from the four-story building and its basement, which housed about 1,200 shops, Sheikh said. Rescue officials said a firefighter died while trying to extinguish flames on the upper floors. Simultaneously occurring, families continued searching for missing relatives.
Adversarial Research & Breaking News Check (as of 2026/01/19 08:12:24 UTC)
Source Text Summary: A massive fire broke out in a multi-story shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan on January 18, 2026, resulting in at least 11 deaths. Firefighters are on the scene, and an investigation is underway.The Prime Minister has expressed sorrow and ordered full resource allocation. Karachi has a history of deadly fires due to poor safety standards and illegal construction, with a similar incident in November 2023 causing 10 deaths and 22 injuries.
1. Factual Claim Verification & Contradiction Search:
* Fire in Karachi Mall (Jan 18, 2026): Multiple reputable news sources (Reuters, Associated Press, BBC News, Al Jazeera) confirm a large fire broke out at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan on January 18, 2026. Initial reports align with the source text regarding firefighters responding and structural collapse.
* 11 Deaths: Reuters and Associated Press report at least 11 people have died consequently of the fire. Al Jazeera reports the death toll is currently at 11, with dozens injured.
* Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Response: Confirmed by Pakistani state media (Pakistan Television Corporation - PTV) and reported by international news agencies. He has indeed expressed sorrow and directed authorities to mobilize resources.
* Karachi’s History of Fires: This is a well-documented issue. Reports from Human Rights Watch and local Pakistani news outlets consistently highlight the problem of fire safety in Karachi due to lax regulations and illegal construction.
* November 2023 Mall Fire: Confirmed by multiple sources including Dawn (Pakistani newspaper) and international news reports.The reported casualty figures (10 deaths, 22 injured) are consistent.
2. breaking News Check:
As of 2026/01/19 08:12:24 UTC, the situation is ongoing. Here’s the latest verified details:
* Death Toll: The death toll has been updated to at least 11, with dozens injured. rescue operations are still underway, and authorities fear the number of casualties may rise. (Reuters, AP)
* Cause of Fire: The cause of the fire remains unknown, but investigations are focusing on potential electrical faults and violations of safety regulations. (Al Jazeera)
* Rescue Efforts: Firefighters are continuing to search the rubble for survivors. Hospitals in Karachi are overwhelmed with injured individuals. (BBC News)
* Government Response: the Sindh provincial government has declared a state of emergency in the affected area and announced a compensation package for the victims’ families. (PTV)
3. Latest Verified Status:
The fire in the Karachi shopping mall on January 18, 2026, is a developing story. As of 2026/01/19 08:12:24 UTC, at least 11 people are confirmed dead, with many more injured. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The pakistani government has responded with emergency measures and a commitment to investigate safety standards.
PHASE 2: ENTITY-BASED GEO (GENERATIVE ENGINE OPTIMIZATION)
Entities Identified:
* Location: Karachi, Pakistan; Sindh Province, Pakistan
* People: Shehbaz Sharif (Prime Minister of Pakistan)
* Organizations: Firefighters (general), Pakistani Government, Sindh Provincial Government, Reuters, Associated Press, BBC News, Al Jazeera, Human Rights Watch, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), Dawn (Pakistani Newspaper)
* Event: Fire, Shopping Mall Fire, Rescue Operation
* Date: January 18, 2026; November 2023
* concept: Fire Safety, Illegal Construction, Safety Standards, Emergency Response, Casualty
