Karachi Mayor Oversees Gul Plaza Basement Clearance Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
KARACHI: Rescue teams continued their meticulous work on Tuesday to clear the basement of Gul Plaza in Karachi, a day after a devastating inferno that claimed at least 23 lives was declared under control. The fire, which initially erupted on Saturday night, had engulfed the ground-plus-three-storey building, a bustling hub with 1,200 shops spread across 8,000 square yards.
The intensity of the blaze caused parts of the structure to collapse. While firefighters battled the flames for over 24 hours, fully extinguishing the fire on Sunday, reignited embers from smoldering debris necessitated renewed efforts on Monday.
According to South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, rescue teams had not yet accessed the building’s first floor, and no fatalities were recovered overnight. “Rescue teams have just entered Rimpa Plaza and the operation has just started,” stated the senior police official. He further confirmed that the locations of 38 missing individuals were traced to Gul Plaza via their mobile phone signals, with the whereabouts of 37 others remaining undetermined. In total, over 60 individuals are reported missing.
Rescue Efforts for Gul Plaza Infernal Blaze
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who was present at the scene throughout the night, confirmed that the “blaze has been brought under control with the joint action of district administration, rescue agencies and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)”. He assured that “all possible help will be provided to the affected families”. The Mayor vowed that KMC departments would remain on high alert until all missing persons are located and the operation is complete. Heavy machinery, including cranes, was deployed to remove vehicles parked on the roof, facilitating a comprehensive search. Visit SindhNews.com for continuous updates on this unfolding situation.
Clearing the Basement: A Crucial Stage in the Gul Plaza Rescue
Mayor Wahab stated that rescue teams had successfully entered the building’s basement, a critical step in the ongoing efforts. On Monday night, DIG Raza reported that 23 bodies had been recovered from the debris, with some victims identified only through recovered body parts. Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dr. Abid Jalal noted that “more than 20 bodies have been recovered,” but cautioned that the final death toll remains uncertain due to the condition of some remains, making precise identification through forensic verification challenging.
On a program with Geo News, Mayor Wahab confirmed that 65 people were missing, with 18 bodies identified so far. The Sindh government has established an inquiry committee, led by Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, to investigate the fire’s causes. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a compensation package of Rs10 million for each deceased victim’s family and pledged support for affected shopkeepers.
Conclusion: The arduous rescue and recovery operation at Gul Plaza is nearing its final stages, with authorities focused on clearing the basement and accounting for all missing individuals. This tragic incident has prompted investigations into negligence and a commitment to enhanced fire safety measures in Karachi’s commercial hubs.