The death toll rises to 74 in the devastating fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The massive blaze erupted on the night of January 17, trapping dozens inside the commercial hub. Rescue teams, supported by the Army, Rangers, and civil authorities, worked for more than 32 hours to control the fire and recover victims.
The fire left the building structurally unstable, prompting authorities to hand over the site to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) for further assessment. Decisions regarding demolition or reconstruction will be taken after technical evaluations.
Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Syed reported that some victims remain unidentified, raising concerns for families awaiting news. Positive DNA matches have been received, but several reference samples are still missing. Authorities continue cross-matching DNA results to ensure accurate identification.
The death toll rises as teams recovered two additional bodies from the debris, bringing the total confirmed fatalities to 74. Search and recovery operations are now complete, with only one pocket of the building remaining under inspection. Families are cooperating with authorities at help desks and DNA collection centres.
Investigators are probing all aspects of the tragedy. Statements have been recorded from security guards, watchmen, and staff present during the incident. Officials are analysing recovered DVR footage to reconstruct the sequence of events. Questions remain about closed doors and blocked emergency exits, which contributed to the high number of casualties.
The Sindh government announced financial assistance of Rs10 million for the families of the victims. Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab has also pledged support for the families of the deceased, including employment and educational assistance for the widow and children of firefighter Furqan, who was martyred during rescue operations.
Authorities have stressed that the investigation will determine responsibility for lapses in safety measures. Meanwhile, the SBCA will decide the future of the damaged structure after completing technical assessments. The city mourns the tragic loss, as the Gul Plaza fire remains one of Karachi’s deadliest commercial disasters.
In other news read more about: SBCA Acts On Gul Plaza Fire, Announces Significant Decision
