Gul Plaza Fire: 40% of Building Collapses, Death Toll Rises to 31 as Rescue Operation Continues
According to rescue officials, bodies continue to be recovered from the rubble. So far, 28 bodies have been retrieved from the site, while the list of missing persons has reached 82 to 85 individuals, though authorities say some names were duplicated.
Edhi Foundation officials confirmed that out of 21 unidentifiable bodies, three more have been identified through DNA testing conducted by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). The identified victims include 15-year-old Maryam, 33-year-old Shehroz, and 26-year-old Rizwan. Their families have reached the mortuary to receive the bodies.
Earlier, seven bodies were identified and handed over to relatives, leaving 21 unidentified bodies at the cold storage, of which three have now been confirmed.
Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Tariq stated that post-mortem examinations of all deceased individuals have been completed. One woman was identified as Misbah through a locket found around her neck. According to the police surgeon, Misbah, daughter of Irfan, has four other family members who are still missing.
Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said that 40 percent of the building has collapsed, and experts from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) have declared the remaining structure extremely unsafe. He urged traders and the public to cooperate with authorities and stay away from the designated red zone.
The DC further added that search operations inside the building will resume today. While the missing persons list initially included 83 names, verification has confirmed that 75 individuals are actually missing. Authorities have traced the last known location of 39 individuals to Gul Plaza.