KARACHI: Rescue teams continued recovery operations at Karachi’s Gul Plaza on Tuesday as the death toll from the devastating fire climbed to 28, while dozens of people were still reported missing.
The fire broke out late Saturday night in the ground-plus-three-storey commercial building, which housed around 1,200 shops across an area of 8,000 square yards. Parts of the structure collapsed due to the intensity of the blaze.
On Tuesday, a large number of people gathered near the site as law enforcement personnel erected temporary barricades to restrict access. Smoke was still rising from the debris.
According to Rescue 1122, seven bodies had been handed over to families, while 21 others were kept at the morgue pending identification through DNA testing. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed also confirmed the death toll at 28.
Keamari police stated that goods recovered from the rubble were being transported to the KMC Ground, where security personnel had been deployed. Rescue operations were focused on the building’s basement, while the first floor had yet to be accessed due to safety concerns, South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn. He added that mobile phone data showed 38 of the more than 65 missing individuals were last traced to Gul Plaza.
Earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the fire had been brought under control through joint efforts by the district administration, rescue agencies and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). He said debris removal was underway and rescue teams had entered the basement. The mayor assured full support for the affected families and directed all KMC departments to remain on high alert until the operation was completed.
Later, Mayor Wahab said the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had initiated action following fire safety audits conducted by the KMC. He shared on X that a list of non-compliant buildings had been sent to the Association of Builders and Developers (Abad), urging immediate compliance with safety standards.
In a separate development, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori met traders affected by the fire to discuss the impact on their businesses. He thanked businessman Rafiq Pardesi for offering to reconstruct Gul Plaza on a no-profit basis. Tessori stressed the need to compensate victims rather than engage in blame, while also calling for strict enforcement of safety regulations.
The governor highlighted failures in safety compliance and criticised officials who ignored violations. He also proposed relocating affected traders to an unused parking plaza near Empress Market so they could resume work.
Meanwhile, former Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jawed Bilwani praised rescue efforts and said traders were prioritising humanitarian assistance over assigning blame.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi sent a condolence letter to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and the Sindh government. He described the tragedy as a national loss and offered support from KP.
On Monday, Mayor Wahab said 65 people were confirmed missing. He noted that firefighting operations had ended and cooling work was underway. Rescue teams had accessed three sections of the building, including two standing portions and one collapsed area.
The Sindh government has formed an inquiry committee headed by Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to investigate the cause of the fire. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a relief and reform package, including Rs10 million compensation for the family of each deceased victim and assistance for affected shopkeepers.