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Karachi’s Gul Plaza Fire Toll Reaches 26 as Search Continues for Dozens Missing

Sindh launches an inquiry with Rs10 million compensation per victim.

Overview

  • The blaze was brought under control after roughly 33 hours, with cooling and debris removal continuing as teams work through the damaged plaza.
  • Authorities report 76 to 83 people still unaccounted for, with mobile location data tracing several to the site and DNA identification underway at the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory.
  • Officials confirmed one firefighter died during operations, while access constraints and water supply difficulties hampered the early response.
  • Investigators and traders cite severe safety failures, including locked exits, narrow passages, and unauthorized expansion from the original 500-shop design to more than 1,200 outlets.
  • The provincial government formed committees to probe causes and assess losses, pledged to rebuild Gul Plaza and rehabilitate affected shopkeepers, and included business bodies in relief planning.