The Gul Plaza fire tragedy continues to unfold as authorities confirmed that the damaged building will not be demolished until all missing persons are recovered, even as the search and rescue operation entered its fifth consecutive day. The death toll from Karachi’s deadliest commercial fire in over a decade has now climbed to 29, intensifying grief and anxiety among affected families.
Speaking to the media, District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso stated that 85 people are still reported missing following the massive blaze that erupted late Saturday night. He stressed that demolition of Gul Plaza would only take place after every missing individual is accounted for, underlining that human lives remain the top priority.
According to the DC, authorities have so far traced the presence of 39 missing individuals inside the shopping centre at the time of the incident. Of the 17 bodies recovered, only 11 have been identified, while efforts are underway to establish the identities of the remaining victims. He added that some names on the missing persons list appear to be duplicated and are currently being verified.
The fire engulfed Gul Plaza, a multi-storey commercial complex housing around 1,200 shops and covering an area larger than a football field. Flames raged for more than 24 hours before firefighters managed to bring the inferno under control.
DC Khoso explained that several parts of the building remain inaccessible due to extreme heat, smoke, and structural instability. Rescue teams are working both manually and with heavy machinery, carefully removing debris from collapsed sections while continuing the cooling process. He stressed that the operation is being conducted without haste, adhering strictly to technical safety protocols.
Meanwhile, authorities have temporarily sealed Rimpa Plaza, an adjacent building, after the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) declared parts of its structure unsafe and dangerous. According to an SBCA notice, debris from Gul Plaza damaged Rimpa Plaza’s structural columns, posing a serious threat to life and property.
The SBCA has ordered the immediate closure of affected sections and warned of legal action if safety directives are not followed, as rescue efforts at Gul Plaza continue around the clock.
