KARACHI: The death toll from the horrific fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall on M.A. Jinnah Road has risen to 26, as rescue officials finally managed to enter the building 40 hours after the blaze erupted. While the main fire has been extinguished after a grueling 36-hour struggle, the cooling process is ongoing amid fears of the structure’s collapse.
Rescue Operation and Casualties According to rescue sources, Edhi and 1122 personnel entered the building using torches due to the lack of electricity. On the first floor, several bodies and human remains were recovered. A spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation stated that most bodies are charred beyond recognition and have been moved to the mortuary for DNA identification.
DIG South Asad Raza confirmed that the deceased include one woman and 21 men. Among the identified victims are Kashif (40), Faraz (55), Muhammad Amir (30), and Furqan (25). Over 30 people were injured in the incident, including two firefighters, Irshad and Bilal, who are currently under treatment at PNS Shifa.
The Search for the Missing The scale of the tragedy remains uncertain as a large number of people are still reported missing. While the Gul Plaza Traders Association estimates that 80 to 100 people might have been inside when the fire started, DIG South reported that police are currently tracking 59 missing persons through mobile phone geofencing. So far, 26 locations have been traced near the plaza.
Building Status and Relief Labors Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed stated that while 80% of the fire was controlled earlier, two portions of the building have collapsed, and the remaining structure is extremely precarious. “It may take 15 to 17 days to clear the debris,” he added. The fire brigade halted operations at the rear of the building after hearing cracking sounds, fearing a total collapse.
Government Response Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, visited the site and expressed grief over the loss of lives. He noted that the first fire tender arrived within 15 minutes of the report, and over 20 fire tenders, 4 snorkels, and 10 water bowsers—including support from the Pakistan Navy and Civil Aviation Authority—participated in the operation.
“The fire spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials and a lack of access for firefighters,” the CM said. He assured the business community that the government would compensate traders for their losses, noting that the plaza housed approximately 1,200 shops.
Help Desks Established The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) has set up a help desk outside the Civil Hospital Trauma Center to assist families. Over 40 families have already registered their missing loved ones. Identification of the remains will be carried out through DNA testing, a process previously used by the team during the PIA plane crash and other major tragedies.
