KARACHI (January 21, 2026): The United States and China have expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the tragic fire incident at Gul Plaza, as rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions.
International Condolences The US Consulate in Karachi issued a statement sharing the grief of the bereaved families and paid tribute to the bravery of the rescue teams and firefighters working on the site. Similarly, the Chinese Consulate General expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and offered prayers and well-wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Current Casualty Status The death toll from the tragedy has reached 28. According to official reports, 17 bodies remain unidentified due to the severity of the incident. DNA samples have been collected from 50 families to assist in the identification process. While 85 individuals were initially reported missing, authorities are currently cross-checking the list to remove duplicate entries.
Challenges in Rescue Operation Deputy Commissioner (DC) South provided an update on the ground situation, noting that the location of 39 missing persons has been traced to the Gul Plaza building. However, several areas remain inaccessible. The DC South stated that debris is being removed both manually and with heavy machinery, but the structural damage poses significant hurdles. The interior of the building is still emitting smoke and extreme heat, requiring ongoing cooling operations.
Future Course of Action Technical teams are conducting the search and rescue operation with extreme caution. The DC South emphasized that human life is the top priority and no haste will be made in clearing the site. The building will not be demolished as long as a single person remains missing, and plans to raze the entire structure will only proceed once the search operation is officially concluded.
