Search and rescue efforts continued at Karachi’s Gul Plaza on Wednesday, where emergency workers recovered another body from the debris of the fire-ravaged shopping complex, raising the confirmed death toll to 29.
Read More: Karachi rescue teams clear Gul Plaza basement after deadly fire
According to Edhi Foundation officials, the latest recovery was shifted to Civil Hospital. The fire, which erupted late Saturday night, caused parts of the multi-storey plaza to collapse, complicating recovery and identification efforts.
The building, situated on M.A. Jinnah Road, housed around 1,200 shops across a ground-plus-three structure spread over 8,000 square yards. DNA testing has been underway to identify victims as authorities struggle to match fragmented remains.
On Wednesday, medical officials confirmed the identification of three additional bodies — a teenage girl and two men — through DNA samples. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told Dawn that the victims also appeared to include five women, noting that post-mortem examinations were conducted on “fragmentary human remains”.
Large crowds continued to gather near the site on Tuesday as smoke persisted from beneath the rubble. Law enforcement erected temporary barriers to keep onlookers away from the plaza as heavy machinery worked to clear debris.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) issued a statement countering claims that Gul Plaza’s construction records were missing. It said that all legal documents, including sanctioned plans and completion certificates, were preserved and available.
The SBCA stated that the plaza was originally built in 1979, and revised plans were approved in 1998 before being regularised under the 2001 amendment ordinance. It added that a revised NOC issued in 2005 approved a total of 1,102 shops.
Read More: Gul Plaza blaze toll reaches 26 as rescue operation continues
The authority further detailed exit routes and staircases across the structure but noted that most were reportedly shut at the time of the fire. Police said that out of 16 emergency exits, 14 were closed, raising questions over safety compliance.
Authorities have pledged a transparent probe to establish responsibility for the incident.