• The death toll from the Karachi mall fire has risen to 26.
• 81 people, including children, are still reported missing.
• Rescue operations face challenges due to the unstable structure of the building.
• The fire began on Saturday night and burned for over 24 hours.
• Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit caused the blaze.

The death toll from a devastating fire at the Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi has tragically increased to 26, with at least 81 people still reported missing. Rescue teams continue to search through the debris as concerns grow about further casualties, given that a significant portion of the building has crumbled, making it difficult to access all areas safely, according to aa.

The fire began late Saturday night and raged for over 24 hours, severely hampering rescue efforts due to thick smoke and structural instability. Rescue 1122 reports that 26 bodies have been recovered so far, and most were found severely charred, emphasizing the tragic impact on victims and their families, as noted by Indiatimes and scmp.

Firefighters indicated that an electrical short circuit may have ignited the fire, although a full investigation is underway, following the widespread belief that inadequate safety measures played a role. This incident has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding fire safety compliance in Karachi, where many commercial buildings have been criticized for lacking proper safety mechanisms, according to Indiatimes and channelnewsasia.

The Sindh government has responded by announcing compensation for victims' families, with an acknowledgment from officials about the dire safety conditions leading to the fire's escalation. “We are extremely concerned and alarmed,” said Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, indicating the need for immediate reviews of safety protocols across similar facilities, as reported by Indiatimes and aa.