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Death toll

Death toll at Gul Plaza hits 73 as search operation concludes

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Death toll

KARACHI: The rescue and search operation at Gul Plaza concluded on its ninth day, with authorities recovering two more bodies from the debris, bringing the death toll to 73.

Using DNA testing, officials have identified another victim, taking the total number of identified bodies to 23. Of the 79 people reported missing, only six remain unaccounted for.

Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khosa, stated that the building will be sealed today. Families of 13 missing persons have neither contacted authorities nor provided DNA samples, while 55 families have submitted DNA samples.

Data for 30 deceased victims has been sent to the government to facilitate compensation, and checks will soon be distributed among the bereaved families.

SSP City, Arif Aziz, added that a case was registered yesterday, and statements are being recorded. So far, statements from 10 individuals, including six guards, have been taken. Authorities plan to collect information from CCTV footage to determine negligence or misconduct, ensuring that all aspects of the tragedy are fully investigated.

Death toll in Gul Plaza fire rises to 67 as search operation continues

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Death toll

KARACHI: The recovery and search operation at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road continued for the sixth consecutive day on Thursday, as authorities recovered additional human remains, raising the death toll to 67.

According to a spokesperson for the Sindh Health Department, post-mortem examinations of all recovered bodies have been completed. A total of 45 DNA samples have been collected from bodies and body parts, while eight victims have been positively identified through DNA testing.

The spokesperson added that six bodies were recovered intact, while one victim was identified through a national identity card.

Earlier, rescue officials stated that the search operation is being carried out with the support of the plaza association and is expected to be completed soon.

They confirmed that debris removal is ongoing, during which more remains were discovered and shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for legal formalities.

Rescue teams also reported that 16 out of 61 motorcycles parked on the rooftop have been removed so far.

Building declared unsafe

Following a joint inspection by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Pakistan Engineering Council, the technical committee declared Gul Plaza structurally unsafe and recommended its demolition after completion of the rescue operation.

Officials said the plaza covers 8,124 square yards and consists of 1,102 shops. Adjacent buildings have also been inspected for safety concerns.

Karachi Mayor visits affected families

Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the homes of victims, including Rahman, Hissam, and Sarfaraz, to offer condolences.

“Human life has no substitute. We will not rest until the affected families are fully rehabilitated,” the mayor said.

He also announced financial and business rehabilitation support for the victims, adding that rescue personnel of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation remain actively engaged in the operation.

Authorities reiterated that every effort is being made to recover and hand over victims’ remains to their families at the earliest.

Death toll from Hurricane Melissa rises to 50 in Caribbean

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Death toll

KINGSTON: At least 50 people have been killed as Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc across several Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, according to international news agencies.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that 19 deaths occurred in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti, while 20 people were injured and another 20 remain missing.

Authorities said the hurricane caused severe damage to homes, roads, and power infrastructure, forcing the evacuation of nearly 800,000 residents from affected areas.

The NHC added that after devastating parts of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, the storm is now moving toward Bermuda, where a hurricane warning has been issued.