KARACHI: The death toll from the Gul Plaza fire has risen to 73 as the search and recovery operation at the site is nearing completion, officials said on Sunday.
The deadliest fire in Karachi in over a decade broke out on January 17 and rapidly engulfed the Gul Plaza shopping complex, which housed around 1,200 family-owned shops selling wedding garments, toys, crockery and other goods.
Speaking to Geo News, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khosa said the search operation is almost complete and the fire-hit building will be sealed on Monday. He said 82 people were initially reported missing and urged families still searching for relatives to contact the authorities.
Providing an update on identification, he said DNA matching has so far been completed for 23 individuals, while 13 missing persons are yet to be matched due to the non-availability of DNA samples from their families. Of the 73 deceased, 23 have been formally identified.
Khosa also urged the public to stay away from the damaged structure, saying the affected area has been clearly marked.
SSP City Arif Aziz said statements are being recorded as part of the investigation. He said statements have been obtained from the building administration, security guards and other relevant personnel. He added that the probe is focusing on possible negligence, including why certain doors were closed and not opened after the fire erupted.
Earlier, Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said at least 73 post-mortem examinations have been completed so far. She said recovery of human remains from the debris is still ongoing and medical teams remain available round the clock at Civil Hospital Karachi.
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Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori visited the family of victim Aftab and announced that he would bear the education expenses of all four of his children. He urged authorities to provide direct support to the affected families and called for dedicated counters to facilitate them.
Tessori said the tragedy has deeply shaken the city and stressed that justice for the victims should not be overshadowed by political considerations.
Separately, police confirmed that a first information report has been registered at Nabi Bux Police Station under sections related to negligence and carelessness against unidentified individuals. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said there are concerns regarding possible sabotage or terrorism, adding that anti-terror provisions would be included if evidence emerges.
MQM-P chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has also written to the prime minister, seeking the formation of a federal inquiry commission into the Gul Plaza tragedy. The party has called for the involvement of multiple state institutions and the establishment of a relief and rehabilitation fund to provide financial assistance to victims and their families.
