Authorities will begin the debris removal phase as families wait for news about their missing loved ones.
Rescuers search through rubble with excavators after a massive fire at a shopping mall in Karachi. Photo: AFP
KARACHI:
The search operation at the fire-ravaged Gul Plaza building in Karachi entered its fifth day on Thursday. Rescue teams have completed searches in approximately 70 percent of the section partially affected by the fire, recovering a total of 60 bodies so far.
Deputy Commissioner South visited the site on Thursday morning to review the relief operations. He said the first phase focused on areas of the building that had not collapsed and where the structure was still standing.
“So far DNA samples have been obtained from 50 corpses, while some corpses have been burnt to such an extent that extracting DNA from the bones has become difficult,” he added.
The second phase of the rescue operation will focus on the collapsed rubble, using heavy machinery. The deputy commissioner said greater caution would be required, as locating human remains, identifying them and separating them from the debris is a complex and delicate process. Efforts will be made to carefully recover the bodies and hand them over to their families.
Read: Rescuers discover 30 bodies in a single store in Gul Plaza
Since the incident, families of 80 missing people have filed reports with the administration.
Following instructions from senior officials, police and Rangers have restricted entry of social welfare organisations, including Edhi and Chhipa Foundation, at the entrance of Gul Plaza. The operation is now being carried out by Rescue 1122, run by the Sindh government, with other welfare groups and firefighters working under their supervision.
On Thursday, a group of more than 25 family members, including women, tried to enter the building but were detained by authorities. The group raised slogans against the Pakistan People’s Party and in support of the MQM founder.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Pakistan Engineering Board visited Gul Plaza on Thursday, where a technical committee declared the building unsafe and recommended its demolition after the rescue operation is completed.
Arif Qasim, member of the technical committee of the SBCA, said Gul Plaza covers an area of 8,124 square yards and comprises 1,102 shops. He maintained that the entire plaza was destroyed after a fire broke out on Saturday night, adding that adjacent plazas were also inspected as part of the safety assessment.
Karachi Mayor Visits Families of Gul Plaza Victims
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the homes of families affected by the Gul Plaza incident, expressed his condolences and promised support for their rehabilitation. He met with the families of victims Rehman, Hisaam and Sarfraz, offering them his solidarity and expressing his deep sorrow for their loss. “In this difficult time, we support the families of the victims,” he said.
Wahab said the loss of human life could not be compensated and promised continued support until recovery efforts were completed. “There is no substitute for human life. We will not rest until the victims are completely rehabilitated,” he said.
The mayor also announced measures to help restore the businesses of affected families, saying economic recovery was a priority along with humanitarian assistance.
“The Sindh government will not be left alone until the victims are completely rehabilitated,” he said. He added that rescue operations at the site are still continuing.
“Rescue personnel of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation are still involved in the rescue operation,” he said.
Wahab said efforts were being made to ensure that the remains of the victims were returned to their families as soon as possible. “Our effort is to deliver the victims’ loved ones to their families as soon as possible,” he said.
Tessori asks for lessons, not blame
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said tragedies like the Gul Plaza incident must never be repeated, urging stakeholders to focus on unity instead of blame game.
At a news conference at the Governor’s House on Thursday, he said the country needed collective support to move forward. “Instead of reopening old wounds and engaging in blame games, we should support each other and move forward,” he said.
He said Pakistan’s priorities should focus on economic strength, education and security. “Our main motto should be to strengthen Pakistan economically, promote education and eliminate terrorism from the country. We must provide education to children and employment to all,” Tessori said.
Addressing the business community, Tessori said the country’s leaders were actively working to stabilize the economy. “We want to convey to the business community that the prime minister and the field marshal fully play their role in strengthening the country’s economy,” he said.
Calling for political consensus, he urged all stakeholders to agree on long-term economic policies. “It is essential that all political parties and the business community unite and sign an Economic Charter, which guarantees the continuity and stability of economic policies,” he stated.
