The blaze, which broke out late Saturday night, has destroyed most parts of the building. PHOTO: REUTERS
The death toll from a massive fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi has risen to 26, while the number of missing people has reached 83, officials said on Tuesday. The blaze, which broke out late Saturday night, has destroyed most parts of the building. Rescue teams are still removing debris and recovering bodies.
According to Express News, rescue workers entered the building after about 40 hours and began search operations. The search on the first floor has been completed, and teams are now looking for survivors or bodies on the second floor. During the operation, the fire briefly flared up again on the second floor, prompting firefighters to spray water before bringing it under control.
A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Sindh said teams have accessed most parts of the building and search and rescue operations are ongoing. Due to darkness inside the mall, rescuers are using torches to look for people. Human body parts have been found inside, and the recovery of bodies is continuing.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab visited the site late at night to oversee the rescue operation. He directed authorities to complete the operation at all costs and speed up efforts to locate victims. “All departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will remain on alert until all missing persons are traced and the rescue operation is completed,” he said.
On the mayor’s instructions, additional heavy machinery was brought in. Authorities have begun removing vehicles from the roof using cranes. Officials said 32 vehicles have so far been safely brought down, including 16 cars, four Suzuki vans, 12 motorcycles and one rickshaw. The vehicles were returned to their owners in safe condition.
Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi told reporters that 26 bodies have been recovered, 13 of which have been identified. DNA tests will be conducted to identify the remaining bodies. He said reports of 75 missing persons have been formally registered so far.
“The intensity of the fire was extremely high. I have never seen such a fire in my life,” Naqvi said. He added that an inquiry committee has started investigations and evidence is being collected. “Our focus right now is the rescue operation. If any criminal negligence is found, strict action will be taken,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khosa said the Sindh Building Control Authority will decide whether the building should be demolished after the rescue operation is completed. He said debris removal has started and families of more than 70 missing people have approached the district administration. Damage assessment will be carried out later on provincial government instructions.
Authorities also stopped a shopkeeper who brought an excavator and drilling machine to reach his shop. Shopkeeper Rehmatullah said his aim was to create a path to his shop, where his two nephews, a guest from Quetta and employees were present. Officials said drilling could endanger the building’s structure and immediately removed the machine.
One survivor, Khalid, told Express News he managed to escape by feeling his way along the walls despite heavy smoke, but later lost consciousness and woke up in hospital. “Those moments were like a struggle between life and death. There was smoke everywhere, people were screaming, then the power went out and nothing was visible,” he said. Khalid said several family members and workers were still inside, and he was waiting outside the plaza for news of them.
Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh said three search operations are underway simultaneously at five identified points. A special team is engaged in firefighting and cooling to keep the site safe, while heavy machinery is being used to clear debris. He said the building’s structure is severely damaged and there is a risk of collapse, making the operation slow and highly technical.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said the main fire has been completely extinguished and cooling work is ongoing. Earlier, firefighters had suspended operations at the rear of the building after hearing cracking sounds, citing fears of collapse.
The fire erupted at around 10:15 pm on Saturday at the well-known shopping centre. Despite the arrival of multiple fire engines, the blaze continued to spread, causing parts of the building to collapse.
