The death toll from a major fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi rose to 14 on Monday. Rescue teams recovered eight more bodies from the debris after the fire broke out late Saturday night in the wholesale and retail market on MA Jinnah Road, Saddar area. The fire was brought under control by Sunday night, but large parts of the building suffered severe damage. Earlier, six bodies were found, with officials saying victims likely died due to suffocation. Many injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. Thick smoke and intense heat stopped rescuers from entering the building initially. Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Abid Jalal told PTI, "Once the fire was doused, we didn’t wait for the cooling period and forcibly went in to rescue trapped people and we found eight more bodies, some badly charred." The fire severely weakened the structure. Both front and rear parts collapsed. Jalal said, "The structure has become extremely unsafe, and we are still searching as there is a risk of further collapses." Gul Plaza, built in the early 1980s, houses about 1,200 shops over multiple floors and is a key market in Karachi. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who visited the site, said, "We are extremely concerned and alarmed. Efforts are going on to find them but this is a national tragedy." South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza warned the death count could rise as more areas remain unsearched. Officials suspect an electrical short circuit caused the fire. The final cause will be confirmed after investigation. This disaster highlights Karachi’s ongoing fire safety problems. Many buildings lack proper fire systems, emergency exits, and safe wiring. A 2024 government audit exposed these risks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the lives lost. The Sindh government has ordered a formal inquiry into the tragedy.