KARACHI: Rescue operations intensified on Monday as firefighters and emergency teams pulled more bodies from the smouldering remains of Gul Plaza in Karachi, where at least 26 people have died, and 83 remain missing after a devastating blaze. Authorities confirmed that the death toll could rise as teams continue to search the upper floors of the collapsed commercial complex.
Rising toll and expanding search efforts
South District Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso told the media that rescuers recovered two additional bodies late Monday night. He added that teams had already cleared the ground and first floors and were now working to access the second and third floors. However, unstable debris and structural damage continue to slow progress. Meanwhile, cranes demolished remaining sections of the weakened building to prevent further collapse, as most of the structure had already crumbled by Monday afternoon.
The massive fire erupted late Saturday in the multi-storey complex, which housed around 1,200 shops and covered an area larger than a football field. The inferno burned for more than 24 hours before firefighters largely contained it. Videos circulating on social media showed towering flames tearing through the building as crews battled the blaze throughout the night. By Monday, authorities shifted focus to cooling operations and debris removal across the surrounding streets.
Safety concerns and public grief dominate aftermath
Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Abid Jalaluddin described the incident as a third-degree fire and insisted that responders acted promptly. He said teams continued searching the second and third floors while prioritising rescuer safety. He also stressed the urgent need for fire alarms and sprinkler systems in commercial buildings, calling them essential global safety standards.
Grief and anger continue to grip affected families. Qasir Khan, whose wife, daughter-in-law and her mother remain missing, said he fears the worst and criticised what he viewed as an inadequate response. Hundreds of relatives, shopkeepers and residents remain gathered at the site, mourning lives lost and livelihoods destroyed.
