KARACHI: Fire brigade and rescue teams continue their operations at Gul Plaza in Karachi, where the ground and first floors of the building have been cleared following a massive fire.
Deputy Commissioner of Karachi South, Javed Nabi Khoso, confirmed that teams are attempting to access the second and third floors, cutting through grills with the help of specialized equipment.
According to the DC, the number of missing persons stands at 81, though some names were listed twice, with 74 confirmed as missing so far.
Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq stated that 27 bodies have been brought to Civil Hospital Karachi. Samples have been collected from 14 of the deceased, with seven identified, including one through the national identity card.
DNA samples from 50 family members have been sent to the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory, with testing to be conducted at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi. Human remains recovered from the site are also undergoing examination.
Shocking Revelations
Affected shopkeepers revealed that the building has a total of 26 entrances and exits, but at 10 PM on the night of the fire, only two were open. There were no emergency exits, and the fire spread rapidly throughout the plaza.
Shopkeepers described the chaotic scene: electricity was out, visibility was extremely poor due to thick smoke, and people struggled to breathe.
Many workers and customers were trapped inside, and several fainted before being rescued. Some survivors were pulled out of the building through self-help efforts by shopkeepers.
The fire at Gul Plaza has caused devastation, highlighting serious safety lapses in the building’s design and emergency preparedness, while rescue teams continue their efforts to reach all affected floors.