KARACHI – The death toll from the devastating fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road has risen to 29, as rescue teams recovered another body from the debris. Deputy Commissioner (DC) South, Javed Nabi Khoso, has stated that heavy debris removal will not commence until every missing person is accounted for.
According to Rescue 1122, the recovery of a fresh body and several human remains has brought the confirmed death toll to 29. Meanwhile, the number of missing persons has climbed to 86 after the family of 65-year-old Jahangir Shah officially registered his disappearance at the Missing Persons Desk.
The process of identifying victims remains a challenge due to the intensity of the fire. Out of 21 previously unidentified bodies, three more have been identified through DNA testing by the CPLC. These include 15-year-old Maryam, 33-year-old Shehroz, and 26-year-old Rizwan. Earlier, 7 identified bodies were handed over to their families. Currently, several bodies remain at the mortuary awaiting DNA confirmation.
Rescue teams were able to enter the building 40 hours after the blaze began. The operation has faced significant hurdles as small fires continue to erupt in various pockets of the building, hampering search efforts. Rescuers are cautiously creating paths into the center of the collapsed sections to ensure a thorough search.
DC South Speaking to the media outside Gul Plaza, DC South Javed Nabi Khoso emphasized that the priority is the search for survivors or remains in the collapsed areas. He stated that they are currently searching the intact parts of the plaza, but the primary focus is the collapsed section. A path is being cleared to reach the center of the structure. Only after the search is 100% complete will the building be demolished and the debris removed.
