KARACHI: As part of the ongoing rescue and clearance operations following the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, authorities launched a specialized operation last night to recover vehicles stranded on the building’s rooftop.
Overnight Recovery Operation On the directives of Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, heavy machinery and cranes were deployed to the site late last night. Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) staff successfully lowered a total of 32 vehicles from the roof of the multi-story shopping mall.
The recovered vehicles include:
- 16 Cars
- 4 Suzuki pickups
- 12 Motorcycles
- 1 Rickshaw
According to the administration, all vehicles were lowered safely and handed over to their respective owners, who were able to drive them away to secure locations.
Mayor Oversees Clearance Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who personally supervised the overnight operation, stated that the process has been accelerated while ensuring all safety protocols. “Heavy machinery and relevant staff will remain on-site until the clearance operation is fully completed. Once the rooftop is cleared, a detailed inspection and further investigation of the structure will follow,” the Mayor added.
Traders’ Losses and Missing Staff The fire has caused massive financial losses to the business community. Amir, a trader who owned three showrooms within Gul Plaza, shared that his shops were completely gutted by the flames.
While he expressed surprise and relief that two of his vehicles were found undamaged, he remains in deep distress as two of his employees are still missing. “Our focus is not just on the material loss, but on the safety of our people who have not been heard from since the fire broke out,” he said.
The district administration and rescue teams continue to utilize all available resources to locate the missing persons as the clearance of the building progresses.
