Rescuers search through rubble with excavators after a massive fire at a shopping mall in Karachi. Photo: AFP
The death toll from a massive fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road rose to 29 on Wednesday, while more than 80 people remained missing, as rescue teams continued search operations in dangerous conditions days after the fire broke out.
Rescue 1122 said another body was recovered from the rubble, bringing the confirmed death toll to 29. Human remains were also found during the operation and were taken to a hospital for further examination.
Read: Gul Plaza fire death toll rises to 28 as DNA testing begins to identify victims
South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said debris removal would not begin until all missing people were accounted for. He said that the rescue and search work continues under the supervision of a technical team.
Officials said the number of missing persons rose to 86 after the family of a 65-year-old man, Jahangir Shah, registered their details at the missing persons counter. Authorities said some entries were duplicates and were being verified.
Rescue officials said three more bodies were identified from previously unidentifiable remains through DNA testing by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee. Among the identified victims were a 15-year-old girl and two adult men. Families have begun receiving bodies from the morgue.
Read more: Death toll in Gul Plaza fire rises to 26 as rescue efforts continue
Rescuers entered the building nearly 40 hours after the fire broke out Saturday night, but faced repeated interruptions as flames continued to reignite in different parts of the structure. Authorities said persistent smoke and intense heat have complicated operations, especially in collapsed sections of the plaza.
Speaking to media at the scene, a DC South official said the intact portion of the building was also being searched and access routes were being created inside the structure. He said the entire plaza would be demolished only after search operations were completed.
Authorities have temporarily sealed off the adjacent Rampa Plaza, pending a report from the Sindh Building Control Authority to assess possible risks.
Also read: Gul Plaza fire causes losses of 100 billion rupees and 1,000 shops destroyed
Police are also investigating the disappearance of two dumpers related to the incident, authorities said.
Relatives of missing people expressed concern about the removal of debris and said they feared human remains could be taken with the rubble.
