Gul Plaza fire toll rises to 60 as rescuers find dozens in a trapped shop
“Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire death toll rose to 60 after dozens of bodies were recovered from a single shop during ongoing rescue work.”
Key points
- Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire death toll rose to 60 after dozens of bodies were recovered from a single shop during ongoing rescue work.
- Officials said no terrorism evidence has emerged so far, while safety concerns and missing-person checks continue.
The death toll from the Gul Plaza blaze in Karachi climbed to 60 after rescuers recovered 30 bodies from a single shop on the building’s mezzanine level, officials said as search operations continued.
Police said a bomb disposal unit was collecting samples from different floors and from bodies to test for traces of explosive materials, while senior officials stated there was no evidence so far indicating terrorism. Authorities said some victims appeared to have locked themselves inside a shop in an attempt to escape flames and smoke.
District officials reported that dozens of people remained unaccounted for, with data collection ongoing to reconcile missing-person lists and identify recovered remains. Administrators said the building would not be demolished until all missing persons were located, noting that parts of the structure remained difficult to access due to residual heat and smoke.
Fire officials highlighted alleged safety lapses, including the absence of emergency exits and fire-fighting equipment, and described operational challenges at the site. Nearby structures were also scrutinized, with an adjacent high-rise temporarily sealed pending safety assessment as authorities widened their review of older buildings and compliance with fire-safety requirements.
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