Gul Plaza fire toll rises to 73, questions mount over accountability

News Desk 

Karachi: Authorities on Sunday announced the conclusion of search and rescue operations at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, nine days after a devastating fire claimed at least 73 lives, even as families of missing victims and rights advocates raised questions over identification gaps and responsibility for the disaster.

Two more bodies were recovered from the rubble on the ninth day of the operation, pushing the confirmed death toll to 73. Officials said 23 bodies have so far been identified through DNA testing, while six people remain officially missing out of a total of 79 reported victims.

South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said the damaged building would be sealed on Monday, adding that relatives of 13 missing individuals have yet to contact authorities or submit DNA samples. According to him, DNA samples have been collected from relatives of 55 victims.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/investigation-recovery-deepen-in-karachis-gul-plaza-disaster/

“The data of 30 bodies has been sent to the government for compensation, and cheques will be distributed soon to bereaved families,” Khoso said.

Despite the announcement marking the end of rescue efforts, concerns persist over the handling of the aftermath and the slow pace of identification. Families of the missing have repeatedly complained of uncertainty and a lack of clarity during the prolonged operation.

City Senior Superintendent of Police Arif Aziz said a criminal case was registered on Saturday and that investigations were underway. Statements from 10 individuals — including six security guards — have been recorded so far. Police are also attempting to retrieve data from digital video recorders (DVRs) to reconstruct events leading up to the blaze.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/gul-plaza-fire-kills-60-exposes-deadly-safety-failures/

“All aspects of the tragedy will be brought to light,” Aziz said, without providing a timeline for the investigation.

Earlier, officials had cautioned that the fire could not be attributed to a short circuit alone, signalling possible negligence or safety violations. Rescue operations continued for days inside the severely damaged structure, even as authorities warned the building was at constant risk of collapse.

According to the district administration, nearly 40 percent of Gul Plaza has already collapsed, with debris falling on both sides of the building. Search efforts were completed in all accessible areas, while sections buried under heavy rubble remain unreachable.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/death-toll-rises-to-28-in-karachis-gul-plaza-fire-over-80-missing/

The incident has once again spotlighted chronic safety lapses in commercial buildings across Karachi, where fire exits, emergency planning and enforcement of building codes remain weak. Critics say the decision to end rescue operations, despite unresolved questions and missing victims, underscores a broader pattern of institutional failure following major urban disasters. Input from Dunya News.