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UAE expresses solidarity with Pakistan over Karachi's deadly Gul Plaza fire
The fire that ripped through the mall in Pakistan's biggest city has killed at least 21 people, according to rescuers
- PUBLISHED: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 5:58 PM
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The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Pakistan over the fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) conveyed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Pakistan over this tragedy.
Deadly blaze
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The fire that ripped through the mall in Pakistan's biggest city has killed at least 21 people, rescuers in the city have said. Families rushed to the Gul Plaza building after the blaze erupted on Saturday night at one of the coastal city's busiest malls, where dozens of people were still missing.
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Videos showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters laboured through the night on Monday to put out the blaze. They began cooling the structure and clearing twisted metal and debris strewn across the street, along with fallen air-conditioning units and shop signboards. Most of the building had crumbled by Monday afternoon, with cranes surrounding the remaining structure amid fears it might collapse.
According to rescue services, authorities received the first emergency call at 10.38pm (1738 GMT) on Saturday, reporting that ground-floor shops were on fire. By the time firefighters arrived, the flames had already spread to the upper floors, engulfing much of the building.
Images of the mall's interior revealed the charred remains of stores and a bright orange glow as flames continued to rise throughout the building.
Firefighters said Gul Plaza's lack of ventilation caused thick smoke to fill the building and slowed efforts to reach people trapped inside.
