Death toll rises to 71 as Gul Plaza search operation nears end today

 

Photo File (Dawn)

The devastating fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road has left Karachi reeling, with the confirmed death toll rising to 71 as rescue teams recover additional human remains from the debris. Authorities say the search operation is nearly complete, while the building remains structurally unstable and under continuous technical assessment.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) South Javed Nabi Khoso announced that most search efforts have concluded, noting that 82 people were initially reported missing. With operations winding down, officials will now verify the names of all missing persons. Rescue work was intermittently paused to allow engineers to conduct safety surveys of the compromised structure.

Investigators have made a significant breakthrough with the recovery of three Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) from the rubble, believed to contain crucial footage that may clarify the sequence of events and possible causes of the blaze. The devices have been handed over for forensic analysis.

According to rescue and hospital sources, 21 unidentified bodies were recovered; 16 have been identified through DNA profiling, with the process ongoing. Officials confirmed the identification of Abdul Haseeb among the victims. The Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory continues to issue results as samples are processed.

Authorities revealed alarming safety lapses. An official timeline—prepared using CCTV footage—indicates that only two of the building’s 16 exits were open when the fire broke out, severely hindering evacuation. Survivors reported darkness, thick smoke, and locked gates turning the plaza into a death trap.

The First Information Report (FIR) cites gross negligence, alleging failure to implement safety measures, locked gates, and power outages that worsened the situation. SSP City Arif Aziz defended the FIR as “absolutely correct,” assuring the public that findings will be made transparent and that responsible individuals will be added after the investigation.

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) disclosed long-standing violations, including unauthorized construction, overcrowding beyond approved capacity, and obstructed internal pathways—factors that likely exacerbated the tragedy. Adjacent Rimpa Plaza has been sealed due to safety concerns, with stabilization work underway.

Rescue operations—supported by Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Army, Rangers, FWO, and civil authorities—have been painstaking due to intense heat and unstable debris. One firefighter, Furqan, was martyred during the operation; the Karachi Mayor announced his honor by renaming Nazimabad Fire Station and pledging support for his family.

The Sindh government has announced Rs10 million compensation for families of the deceased, while help desks and DNA collection centers remain active to assist identification and coordination. Investigations continue as officials weigh demolition or reconstruction based on technical findings.