Authorities have reconstructed a detailed timeline of the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi. The reconstruction was completed using closed-circuit television footage from surrounding areas. The findings reveal how quickly the deadly blaze spread through the building.
The fire erupted late Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a busy commercial building. It began at the backside of the structure at exactly 10:07pm. Within minutes, the situation escalated beyond control.
According to officials, ambulances reached the scene around 10:12pm. Rescue teams moved swiftly after receiving emergency alerts. However, the fire intensified rapidly inside the building.
CCTV footage shows flames reaching the front of the plaza by 10:18pm. This side faces MA Jinnah Road and is highly visible. Therefore, it took only eleven minutes for the fire to spread across the entire structure.
As the blaze grew, thick smoke trapped many people inside. Consequently, evacuation became extremely difficult. Several victims remained stuck in upper floors and shops.
Heavy Casualties and Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The inferno has claimed at least 60 lives so far. Authorities have also confirmed that 88 people remain missing. Rescue operations continue amid debris and unstable structures.
Officials recovered nearly half of the bodies from a single shop. This detail highlights the intensity of the fire in confined spaces. Search teams are still clearing rubble to locate trapped victims.
So far, authorities have identified 15 of the recovered bodies. The identified victims include Muhammad Shehroz, Misbah, Maryam, Kashif, Aamir, and Faraz. Others include Farooq, Farqan, Muhammad Ali, Tanveer, and Muhammad Rizwan.
Churchill Masih, Sarfraz Noor, Mohammad Saad, and Muhammad Usman were also identified. Identification remains a slow process due to severe burn injuries. Meanwhile, families continue to wait for confirmation.
Post-mortem examinations of 48 bodies have been completed. The remaining bodies will undergo the same process. Authorities say this step is essential for legal and identification purposes.
Crackdown on Unsafe Buildings Begins
Following the tragedy, officials have started action against unsafe buildings. Notices are being issued to structures lacking fire safety systems. So far, six buildings have already received formal warnings.
Authorities say enforcement will continue across the district. They aim to prevent similar incidents in the future. Therefore, inspections will focus on emergency exits and fire equipment.
The Gul Plaza fire has raised serious safety concerns citywide. It has also exposed gaps in emergency preparedness. As investigations continue, accountability remains a key demand.
