A fire that erupted at Karachi’s renowned Gul Plaza on Saturday night continued to rage for over 24 hours, as firefighters’ arduous efforts were only able to partially control it. While officials have confirmed six deaths so far, over 50 are reported missing. Scenes from the site showed fire tenders, water tankers and ambulances sprawling MA Jinnah Road, where worried families had gathered in search of their loved ones. Dawn takes a look at some of the scenes that marred the busy commercial road, crowded for an entirely different reason this time. Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters douse a fire that broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi on Jan 18, 2026. — AFP Shops at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall are reduced to rubble after a blaze erupted the previous night, on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star A distressed woman roams Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, where firefighters make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star A portion of Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall is reduced to rubble after a blaze erupted the previous night, on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star People look on as firefighters make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star An ambulance makes its away among a crowd as efforts are underway to douse a fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road in the early hours of Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Firefighters and rescue workers make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star A portion of Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall is reduced to rubble after a blaze erupted the previous night, on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star Header image: A huge crowd has gathered as firefighters make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star