Islamabad, 20 January (H.S.): Firefighters finally brought a ferocious blaze under control at Karachi's Gul Shopping Plaza after 36 hours, but not before it claimed 26 lives and left over 76 people missing in the rubble.The multi-story complex on M.A. Jinnah Road in Sindh province's capital collapsed largely due to the inferno, which ignited on Saturday night, January 17, and burned for 33 grueling hours.
Among the 26 charred bodies recovered, only 18 have been identified so far—including firefighter Furqan. Sindh authorities have ordered the demolition of the entire structure amid fears it could collapse further.
According to Dunya News, rescue teams are clearing debris while a probe committee, chaired by the Karachi Commissioner, investigates the tragedy. DNA samples from the remains have been rushed to Karachi University's lab for cross-matching identification, as confirmed by Police Surgeon Dr. Samia.
Fire department chief Humayun Ahmad stated that the fire has been fully extinguished, with cooling operations ongoing. The response involved Pakistan Navy personnel, Sindh Rangers, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Rescue Sindh, and volunteers.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reported that 22 individuals suffered minor burns and have returned home, but 65 to 76 remain unaccounted for. He warned the death toll could climb to 50-60, as many missing persons may be trapped under the debris.
Over 1,200 shops in the plaza have left hundreds of traders suddenly jobless.Shah noted that nearly 200 firefighters battled the flames, with Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Deputy Mayor Salman Murad, and senior officials on-site during the operation. He announced a rehabilitation committee and directed the Chief Secretary to form a fact-finding panel, with forensic analysis into the fire's cause and a potential judicial inquiry if needed.For safety, the government will raze the building entirely.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
