The search and rescue operation at the fire-ravaged Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road entered its eighth day on Saturday, as authorities continued efforts to locate missing persons following the deadly blaze that erupted on January 17.
A technical and investigation team, accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner South, visited the site and inspected the ground floor of the severely damaged building. Officials said nearly 90 per cent of the search operation has been completed so far.
Urban Search and Rescue 1122 teams remain actively involved in the operation, alongside support from the Army, Rangers, and civil authorities. Despite the fire being extinguished days ago, the structure remains unstable, prompting engineers to continuously assess the building’s safety during search efforts.
According to officials, a total of 71 bodies have been recovered from the debris, of which only 15 have been identified. Several individuals reported missing after the incident are still untraced.
The massive fire sent shockwaves across the city, leaving families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones and raising serious concerns over fire safety standards in commercial buildings.
DVRs Recovered from Debris
In a key development, investigators probing the incident have recovered three digital video recorders (DVRs) from the rubble, offering potential breakthroughs in determining the cause of the fire.
Officials said the DVRs, along with their chargers, were found by the Urban Search and Rescue team in a room near a mosque adjacent to Gul Plaza. The devices were handed over by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to the Deputy Commissioner of District South for further examination.
Authorities believe the footage could provide critical insights into the sequence of events leading up to the blaze. Technical analysis of the recovered DVRs is expected to play a significant role in the ongoing investigation.
