KARACHI – A massive fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road has shaken the city. The incident occurred late Saturday night, January 17. Authorities say the blaze has been controlled, but the situation remains critical.
Rescue teams are still searching for missing persons inside the damaged building. The structure has been declared unsafe. Engineers are assessing the risk of further collapse. Due to safety concerns, operations are being carried out carefully.
According to police surgeons, the death toll has risen to 67. Police Surgeon Dr. Samia confirmed that 67 post-mortems have been completed so far. Officials fear the number may increase as debris removal continues.
Rescue workers reported recovering additional human remains during clearance operations. These remains were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for examination. Identification is ongoing through medical and forensic procedures.
Authorities have established help desks and DNA collection centers. These facilities aim to assist families searching for missing relatives. Many families are coordinating closely with officials amid emotional distress.
Security forces, including the Army and Rangers, are assisting civil authorities. Heavy machinery is being used to remove debris from Gul Plaza . Rescue officials say the operation may take more time due to structural instability.
Meanwhile, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding safety measures during the fire. Gul Plaza Traders Association President Tanveer Pasta rejected claims circulating on social media. He called them false and misleading.
Speaking to the media, Tanveer Pasta said that exit routes were not blocked deliberately. He stated that the emergency ramp was open. He also claimed that two exit routes near the mosque were accessible.
He further explained that electricity was switched off after the fire started. According to him, the step was taken as a precaution. He said keeping power on could have allowed flames to spread through wiring.
However, official investigations have revealed alarming details. Authorities prepared a timeline using CCTV footage from nearby areas. The findings suggest serious safety lapses.
Officials stated that Gul Plaza had 16 exits in total. At the time of the fire, only two were reportedly open. This severely restricted evacuation and trapped many people inside.
Investigators are now focusing on identifying responsibility for the closed exits. Authorities aim to determine how the fire spread so rapidly.
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The tragic incident has raised questions about building safety enforcement. Officials say strict action will follow once investigations are complete. Further updates are expected as rescue and inquiry efforts continue.
