The death toll from the devastating Gul Plaza fire on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi has risen above 50 after rescue teams recovered more than 20 bodies from a single shop on the mezzanine floor, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza said the human remains were found inside a crockery shop at the mezzanine level of the fire-damaged plaza. Between 20 and 30 sets of remains were recovered, pushing the overall fatalities past 50.
Authorities noted that debris removal has been temporarily halted, and access to some crushed sections of the building remains impossible due to safety risks.
At least 86 people are still reported missing following the blaze. Many victims trapped for several days were severely burned, with some bodies reduced to ashes. Rescue teams continue to work cautiously to recover all possible remains.
Three additional victims—Shahroz, Muhammad Rizwan, and Maryam—have been identified, bringing the total identified to 11. Seventeen bodies remain unidentifiable and have been placed at the Edhi mortuary, while DNA testing is ongoing to determine the identities of the remaining victims. DNA samples have been collected from 50 families to facilitate identification once reports are received.
Fire Officer Zafar Khan confirmed that the cooling process has been completed, smoke has dissipated, and all safe areas have been searched. However, buried sections adjacent to Rampa Plaza will be searched in phases during daylight due to hazardous conditions at night.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan emphasized the need for enhanced fire safety measures, including proper firefighting systems in buildings and fire safety training in educational curricula. He also assured that the fire brigade remains fully prepared to respond to any emergency.
Authorities continue to recover human remains carefully while prioritizing safety, as the city mourns one of its deadliest recent fires.
