KARACHI, Pakistan — Rescue operations continue into the fourth day at the devastated Gul Plaza shopping complex following Saturday’s catastrophic fire, with authorities confronting increasingly grim prospects of locating survivors beneath the collapsed structure. Emergency teams have now accessed the most severely compromised sections of the multistory commercial building, though unstable conditions and structural failures have significantly hampered search efforts.
Official reports confirm the recovery of at least 23 victims, many severely disfigured by the intense heat, necessitating DNA analysis for identification. According to Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, forensic experts are processing fragmented remains as complete bodies prove difficult to retrieve.
The sprawling retail center, housing approximately 1,200 establishments primarily specializing in imported apparel, cosmetics, and household items, contained numerous shop proprietors and patrons during the evening inferno. Senior police official Asad Raza indicated mobile data suggests at least 31 individuals were present within the complex at the time of ignition, though the total missing persons count exceeds 65, accounting for those potentially without mobile devices.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has deployed heavy machinery to clear debris from sections that collapsed subsequent to the initial fire, while maintaining communication with distraught families awaiting news of missing relatives. Provincial Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced compensation packages of 10 million rupees ($36,000) for each bereaved household.
This tragedy underscores Karachi’s persistent struggle with fire safety enforcement, coming just months after a November 2023 mall fire claimed 10 lives. The city witnessed one of Pakistan’s worst industrial disasters in 2012 when a garment factory conflagration resulted in over 260 fatalities, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding regulatory compliance and construction standards.