Search Operation Intensifies at Gul Plaza Amidst Grim Fire Aftermath
KARACHI: The search operation at Karachi’s Gul Plaza persisted on Thursday, a day after an inferno claimed over 60 lives and left a trail of devastation. The blaze, which ignited on Saturday night, engulfed the multi-story commercial complex on MA Jinnah Road.
Though the main fire was reportedly doused on Sunday after more than 24 hours, rekindled flames necessitated a renewed firefighting effort on Monday. The plaza, a ground-plus-three-storey structure housing approximately 1,200 shops across 8,000 square yards, suffered significant structural damage, with parts of it collapsing due to the intense heat.
Continuous Search for Victims in Gul Plaza Debris
Rescue 1122’s urban search and rescue teams have been diligently combing through the rubble, utilizing specialized equipment. Thermal imaging cameras and cutters were employed throughout the night. A distressing development on Wednesday saw the recovery of at least 30 bodies from a gutted shop on the mezzanine floor, identified as “Dubai Crockery.”
Karachi South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza confirmed the grim find, stating, “The remains of 30 humans had been recovered from a shop called ‘Dubai Crockery’.” He also noted that three additional bodies were found earlier the same day, bringing the preliminary toll from that specific location to 31. This discovery is estimated to have pushed the overall death toll to 61, according to SindhNews.com.
Inquiry Committee Investigates Gul Plaza Fire Incident
An inquiry committee, formed by the Sindh government to investigate the fire’s causes, visited the affected plaza on Wednesday. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, the committee’s convener, was accompanied by Karachi Additional Inspector General Azad Khan, also a committee member.
Commissioner Naqvi commented on the incident, stating, “The inquiry had just begun.” He also highlighted the precarious condition of adjacent buildings, noting that Rimpa Plaza, though affected, had not yet been declared dangerous. He expressed concern that “the fire safety measures inside the buildings did not adhere to international standards.”
Additional IG Azad Khan reassured the public, stating, “No evidence of sabotage had emerged so far.” He added, “We are investigating the incident thoroughly.” He also refuted reports of missing debris transport trucks. KMC’s Zafar Khan indicated that cooling efforts were ongoing at two sections of the plaza, with one portion cleared and two others in the process of being cleared. “We will try to retrieve the bodies buried under the debris,” Khan pledged. He disputed claims of a delayed response from the fire brigade, asserting that three tenders were dispatched promptly on Saturday night.
Khan also described chaos caused by shopkeepers attempting to fight the fire themselves, allegedly snatching equipment. He mentioned that the roof access door was locked, impeding escape routes, and that the market was nearing closing time when the fire broke out, leading to locked exits.
Conclusion: The ongoing search operation at Gul Plaza underscores the tragic scale of the fire. While rescue efforts continue to locate victims, the inquiry committee’s investigation aims to determine the precise causes and identify any lapses in safety protocols, with initial findings pointing to non-compliance with international fire safety standards. The incident has led to a significant loss of life and damage to commercial property.