KARACHI: As of Wednesday, the death toll from the tragic fire at Gul Plaza has climbed to at least 33, with rescue teams continuing their painstaking search through the wreckage. Meanwhile, 86 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of three more victims, bringing the total number of identified bodies to 11. At least 17 others are still awaiting DNA testing at the morgue for identification.
The fire, which ignited on Saturday night, caused the partial collapse of the four-story commercial building housing approximately 1,200 shops. Even days later, smoke was seen rising from the remains as heavy machinery worked to clear the rubble.
Rescue teams pressed on with their operations on Tuesday, successfully clearing the ground floor, mezzanine, and first floor of the structure. However, the building remains in a precarious state, with several sections already reduced to debris and the remainder at risk of collapse. Rescue officials have also warned that parts of a nearby building could succumb to damage as well.
Amid these efforts, a firefighter suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Clearing operations revealed 32 vehicles, including cars, that had been parked on the rooftop. Large generators were also removed to ensure safety.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori personally met with affected traders and pledged support for rebuilding Gul Plaza. He underscored the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and criticized corruption and negligence, labeling such issues as tantamount to “murder.”
Additionally, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced financial aid of Rs10 million for each victim’s family and assured assistance to shopkeepers impacted by the disaster.
