Chaos and tragedy continue to unfold at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi, as rescue teams race against time to recover victims from the devastating fire that has left scores dead and dozens missing.
The city watches anxiously as authorities push forward with search, identification, and investigation operations.
Rescue and search efforts continue at the site of the fire. So far, 20 bodies have been recovered, of which 18 have been identified. Authorities have confirmed that 75 people remain missing.
Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Khokhso, stated that nearly 40 percent of the building has collapsed, and experts from SBCA have warned that the remaining structure is extremely unstable. He urged traders to cooperate with authorities and stay away from the red zone.
Further search operations inside the building are scheduled to continue today. Initially, the missing persons list contained 83 names, which has now been verified to 75 individuals. Authorities reported that the last known location of 39 missing persons was at Gul Plaza.
Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Syed at Civil Hospital Karachi said most recovered bodies are in an unrecognizable condition, and identification is being carried out through DNA testing. Out of 20 bodies brought to the hospital, seven were immediately identifiable, while DNA samples have been collected from the remaining 14.
Six identifications have been completed, and one individual was identified using a national identity card. DNA samples from 48 family members have been received, and profiling for all 48 individuals has been completed.
Samples have been sent to the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory, with testing conducted at ICCBS, University of Karachi. Identification of additional human remains will continue.
Late at night, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) teams intensified rescue efforts, entering the basement to clear debris.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab personally oversaw the operation, instructing authorities to continue the search until all missing persons are accounted for. A search team also inspected the mosque inside the building and found it empty, with shelves and over 50 copies of the Quran intact.
A joint operation by the district administration, rescue agencies, and KMC has brought the fire under control. Additional machinery and resources have been deployed, and affected families are receiving support.
So far, 32 vehicles, 12 motorcycles, four Suzuki vans, and one rickshaw have been recovered from the rooftop parking, with some vehicles safely returned to their owners. Traders reported that three showrooms were completely destroyed, though two vehicles survived, and some shop employees remain missing.
The first meeting of the investigation committee, established under the directive of the Chief Minister of Sindh, is scheduled for today.
The committee, which includes the Commissioner of Karachi and Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan, will investigate the fire’s cause, assess lapses in safety measures, and determine accountability. Decisions on including additional officials in the committee will also be made.
DIG South confirmed that another body recovered from Gul Plaza has been identified as Tanveer Ahmed Khan, son of Abu Al-Kalam, a resident of Korangi No. 4 and a salesman at the plaza.
Identification was confirmed through an ID card found at the site. Police have so far identified seven individuals from the missing persons list, with efforts ongoing to locate and identify the remaining missing individuals.
