KARACHI (Agencies) The death toll from the Gul Plaza blaze rose to at least 29 on Wednesday as rescue teams continued combing through the debris, while 86 people remained missing.
According to sources, the identity of three more people who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza tragedy has been confirmed. A total of 11 bodies have been identified so far. At least 17 dead bodies remain at the morgue pending DNA identification.
The blaze, which erupted on Saturday night, partially collapsed the ground-plus-three-storey commercial building housing around 1,200 shops. Smoke was still visible from the rubble as heavy machinery was deployed to clear debris.
The rescue personnel continued search operation inside the affected building on Tuesday and the ground, mezzanine, and first floors have been cleared.
Rescue officials informed that a firefighter became unconscious due to smoke inhalation and was shifted to the hospital. The fire has turned the building into a heap of debris, with several sections collapsing. The remaining structure of the building is at risk of collapsing at any time, and there is also a danger that part of the adjacent building may also collapse.
It is worth mentioning that 32 vehicles, including cars, were removed from the rooftop of Gul Plaza, and large generators were also taken down from the roof.
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori met affected traders, announcing support for rebuilding the plaza and urging strict implementation of safety laws. He condemned corruption and safety violations, calling them “equivalent to murder.”
On the other hand, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced Rs10 million compensation for each deceased victim’s family and promised assistance to affected shopkeepers.
