KARACHI (Dunya News) – At least 67 people have been confirmed dead and dozens remain unaccounted for following the devastating fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso said on Thursday.
Speaking to the media, the deputy commissioner stressed that the incident would not be attributed to a short circuit alone and that a comprehensive investigation was under way. He said rescue operations were continuing inside the damaged building, despite the structure being in an extremely hazardous condition.
Heavy machinery had been temporarily halted to allow rescue workers to enter safely, he added and warned that the building could collapse at any moment due to severe structural damage.
According to the DC South, around 40 percent of the plaza has already collapsed. Search operations have been completed in all accessible areas except for the portion that has fallen on both sides of the building. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to retrieve any possible bodies trapped under the rubble.
Khoso urged the public not to rely on unverified information circulating on social media, adding that official updates would be shared as investigations progressed. He reiterated that given the scale of the blaze, authorities could not simply conclude it was caused by an electrical short circuit. “All aspects are being examined,” he said, adding that a detailed inquiry was in progress.
He further said investigations were also focusing on the building’s access points, including which doors were open and which were closed at the time of the fire. Statements from witnesses regarding the doors had already been recorded. Any individual or authority found guilty of negligence would face action, he said.
Providing an update on casualties, the deputy commissioner said approximately 67 lives had been lost in the incident. He added that 77 individuals had been officially listed as missing, while rescue operations continued to search for possible bodies beneath the debris. Later, officials also stated that a total of 86 people had been reported missing, reflecting updates received during the ongoing operation.
Authorities confirmed that 14 victims had been identified so far, including eight through DNA analysis. Post-mortem examinations of 48 bodies have been completed, while the identification process for the remaining victims is continuing in coordination with relevant departments.
Khoso said notices were being issued to buildings lacking proper fire safety arrangements. So far, six buildings had been served notices for failing to meet fire safety requirements, as authorities began wider checks in the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, President of the Gul Plaza Traders Association, Tanveer Pasta, rejected claims that market exits were blocked. He said all routes within the market were open, including the emergency ramp. He added that two exit routes from the mosque were also open at the time of the fire. According to him, had electricity not been cut off, even those who managed to escape would not have been able to get out safely.
The deputy commissioner also confirmed that Rescue 1122 had been instructed to conduct a final search operation at Gul Plaza. Once the final search is completed, the building will be demolished due to safety concerns.
He said the responsibility for demolishing the structure would lie with the Sindh Building Control Authority. An earlier SBCA report had already declared the building dangerous and unfit for use, paving the way for its planned demolition following the conclusion of rescue efforts.