The fire, which broke out late Saturday night, has destroyed most parts of the building. PHOTO: REUTERS
The death toll from a massive fire at Gul Plaza mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi has risen to 26, while the number of missing persons has reached 83, officials said on Tuesday. The fire, which broke out late Saturday night, has destroyed most parts of the building. Rescue teams are still removing debris and recovering bodies.
According to Express newsrescue workers entered the building after about 40 hours and began search operations. The search on the first floor has been completed and teams are now searching for survivors or bodies on the second floor. During the operation, the fire briefly re-ignited on the second floor, prompting firefighters to spray water before bringing it under control.
A spokesman for Rescue 1122 Sindh said teams have gained access to most parts of the building and search and rescue operations are underway. Due to darkness inside the mall, rescuers are using torches to search for people. Human body parts have been found inside and the recovery of bodies continues.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab visited the site late in the evening to oversee the rescue operation. He directed the authorities to complete the operation at all costs and speed up efforts to find victims. “All departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will remain on high alert until all missing persons are traced and the rescue operation is completed,” he said.
On the mayor’s instructions, additional heavy machinery was brought in. Authorities have begun removing vehicles from the roof using cranes. Officials said 32 vehicles have been brought down safely so far, including 16 cars, four Suzuki vans, 12 motorcycles and one rickshaw. The vehicles were returned to their owners in a safe condition.
Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi told reporters that 26 bodies have been recovered, of which 13 have been identified. DNA tests will be carried out to identify the remaining bodies. He said reports of 75 missing persons have been formally registered so far.
“The intensity of the fire was extremely high. I have never seen such a fire in my life,” Naqvi said. He added that an inquiry committee has started investigations and that evidence is being collected. “Our focus right now is the rescue operation. If criminal negligence is found, strict action will be taken,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khosa said the Sindh Building Control Authority will decide whether to demolish the building after the rescue operation is over. He said the debris removal has started and families of more than 70 missing people have approached the district administration. Damage assessment will be carried out later on the instructions of the provincial government.
Authorities also stopped a shop owner who brought an excavator and drill to reach his shop. Shopkeeper Rehmatullah said his aim was to create a road to his shop where his two nephews, a visitor from Quetta and employees were present. Officials said drilling could endanger the structure of the building and immediately removed the machine.
One survivor, Khalid, said Express news he managed to escape by feeling his way along the walls despite heavy smoke, but later lost consciousness and woke up in hospital. “Those moments were like a battle between life and death. There was smoke everywhere, people were screaming, then the power went out and nothing was visible,” he said. Khalid said several family members and workers were still inside and he was waiting outside the square for news of them.
Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr. Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh said three search operations are underway simultaneously at five identified points. A special team is engaged in firefighting and cooling to keep the site safe while heavy machinery is used to clear debris. He said the building’s structure is severely damaged and there is a risk of collapse, making the operation slow and highly technical.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said the main fire has been completely doused and cooling work is on. Earlier, firefighters had suspended their operations at the rear of the building after hearing cracking sounds, citing fears of collapse.
The fire broke out at around 10.15pm on Saturday in the well-known shopping centre. Despite the arrival of several fire trucks, the fire continued to spread, causing parts of the building to collapse.
