Authorities begin clearing debris as families wait for news of missing loved ones
Rescue workers search through the debris using excavators after a massive fire at a 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 conducted searches in about 70 percent of the part partially affected by the fire and have found a total of 60 bodies so far.
Deputy Commissioner South visited the site on Thursday morning to review 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 bodies, while some bodies have been burned to such an extent that it has become difficult to extract DNA from bones,” he added.
The second phase of the rescue operation will focus on collapsed debris using heavy machinery. The deputy commissioner said extra caution would be needed as locating human remains, identifying them and separating them from rubble is a complex and sensitive 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 shop in Gul Plaza
Since the incident, families of 80 missing persons have filed reports with the administration.
On the instructions of senior officials, the police and Rangers have restricted welfare organisations, including Edhi Foundation and Chhipa, from entering Gul Plaza. The operation is now being led by the Sindh government-run Rescue 1122, with other welfare groups and the fire service working under their supervision.
On Thursday, a group of more than 25 relatives, including women, tried to enter the building but were stopped by the authorities. The group raised slogans against the Pakistan Peoples Party and in support of the MQM founder.
Meanwhile, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and Pakistan Engineering Council visited Gul Plaza on Thursday, where a technical committee declared the building unsafe and recommended that it be demolished after completion of the rescue operation.
SBCA technical committee member Arif Qasim said Gul Plaza covers an area of 8,124 square meters and includes 1,102 shops. He maintained that the entire site was cleared after a fire broke out on Saturday night, adding that adjacent sites were also being inspected as part of the safety assessment.
Karachi Mayor visits families of Gul Plaza victims
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited families affected by the Gul Plaza incident and expressed condolences and pledged support for their rehabilitation. He met the families of victims Rehman, Hisaam and Sarfraz and offered sympathy and expressed deep sorrow for their loss. “In this difficult time, we stand with the families of the victims,” he said.
Wahab said the loss of life could not be compensated and pledged continued support until recovery efforts were completed. “There is no substitute for a human life. We will not rest until the complete rehabilitation of the victims,” he said.
The mayor also announced measures to help restore the businesses of affected families, saying economic recovery was a priority along with humanitarian aid.
“The Sindh government will not sit in peace until the victims are fully rehabilitated,” he said. He added that rescue operations were still underway at the site.
“Rescue personnel of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation are still engaged in the rescue operation,” he said.
Wahab said efforts were being made to ensure the victims’ remains were returned to their families as soon as possible. “Our effort is to hand over the loved ones of the victims to their families at the earliest,” he said.
Tessori calls for lessons, not blame
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said tragedies such as the Gul Plaza incident must never be repeated and urged stakeholders to focus on unity instead of shifting blame.
At a press 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 shooting 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 core slogan should be to make Pakistan economically strong, 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 leadership was actively working to stabilize the economy. “We want to convey to the traders community that the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal are fully playing their roles in strengthening the country economically,” he said.
He called for political consensus and urged all stakeholders to agree on long-term economic policies. “It is important that all political parties and business come together and sign a Charter of Economy that ensures continuity and stability in economic policy,” he said.
