KARACHI: The Sindh government announced Rs10 million in financial aid for the families affected by the Gul Plaza fire tragedy. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah stated that compensation would start being distributed from Tuesday.
Speaking after a special meeting on the incident, Murad Ali Shah described the fire as a significant disaster, highlighting that rescue teams were working to access the building from multiple points. The grim toll stands at 15 fatalities, with 65 individuals still unaccounted for, while efforts to locate the missing continue.
Rescue operations recovered another body, bringing the death toll to 14 as workers battled the blaze for over 34 hours. The massive fire at Gul Plaza, a notable commercial center on MA Jinnah Road, escalated into a critical situation. Emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, Rangers, and rescue teams, worked tirelessly to manage the crisis.
The fire was declared under control after 34 hours, according to Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun Khan. He noted that cooling operations are still ongoing amid fears that some of the 59 missing might not have survived. Even by Monday morning, flames persisted in sections of the building, complicating final extinguishing efforts.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, World Memon Organisation President Salman Iqbal highlighted concerns raised by traders about delays in fire response due to water shortages. He lamented the heavy losses suffered by traders and their families, many of whom belong to the Memon community, noting that years of effort and savings were obliterated in the disaster.
The business community responded with three days of mourning as the leader of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh, Javed Qureshi, urged both federal and provincial governments to assist affected traders and grieving families. He also mourned the loss of a firefighter who died during rescue operations.
To bolster efforts, the Pakistan Army and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) have joined recovery and clearing operations at Gul Plaza. Heavy machinery and specialized teams are aiding in debris removal and enabling safe access to inaccessible parts of the structure. Officials confirmed ongoing coordination with civil agencies to ensure timely rescue of those potentially trapped inside.
Rescue 1122 volunteers have begun their search inside the damaged building, focusing on heavily affected areas like shopfronts. The operation is proceeding with caution due to concerns over the structural stability of the plaza. Authorities remain on high alert as fears persist that additional victims may still be trapped within the building’s remains.
