The death toll from the devastating fire at Gul Shopping Plaza in Karachi has reached 72, as authorities prepare to conclude a week-long search operation. Officials confirmed on Sunday that at least twelve people remain missing since the blaze broke out in the basement of the wholesale complex in the Saddar district on the night of January 17.
Rescue teams have recovered numerous charred remains from the 1,200-store facility, but the identification process has stalled due to the intensity of the fire. According to Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, only 22 bodies have been identified through DNA testing so far. “Most remains are unrecognizable, found only as fragments, making the identification task Herculean,” she stated.
While the 20 survivors who were hospitalized have been discharged, the tragedy has sparked a national debate over building safety standards in Pakistan’s financial hub. Following the incident, the Sindh Building Control Authority has launched an emergency audit, issuing warnings to 30 commercial buildings for failing to comply with fire safety regulations. Investigations into the cause of the fire and the lack of emergency exits are currently ongoing.