Karachi is reeling from a catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza, the city’s deadliest blaze in over a decade, leaving confirmed dead and 81 individuals still missing, while neighboring structures, including Rimpa Plaza, have been declared structurally compromised and highly unsafe.
Rescue teams race against time, digging through smouldering debris and navigating perilous collapses in a desperate bid to save lives.
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) issued a stern notice to Rimpa Plaza’s management and shop owners, stating that debris from the adjacent Gul Plaza had severely damaged the building’s pillars, rendering it a grave threat to human life and property.
The authority ordered immediate cessation of use of the affected areas and mandated that all repair and reinforcement works be conducted under the strict supervision of qualified structural engineers, in full compliance with building safety regulations. Non-compliance will trigger legal action under the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979.
The massive blaze erupted late Saturday at Gul Plaza, a sprawling complex housing 1,200 shops over multiple floors, and raged uncontrollably for more than 24 hours, leaving a trail of devastation across Karachi’s historic commercial center.
Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Khoso, visited the site to oversee relief efforts, assuring that all victims’ belongings are safeguarded, and addressing reports of missing debris dumpers. Fire Officer Zafar Khan confirmed that while the basement’s open areas have been cleared, collapsed sections and floors remain under meticulous search.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also inspected the site, revealing that two-thirds of the structure has been cleared, and 70% of rescue operations are complete. He emphasized that debris is being carefully removed to uncover any remaining victims.
Authorities have confirmed 81 missing individuals, with 28 bodies recovered at Civil Hospital Karachi, and DNA samples from 50 families being processed to expedite identification. So far, 11 victims have been positively identified, including Muhammad Shehroz, Muhammad Rizwan, and Maryam.
In the aftermath, Mayor Wahab announced the launch of comprehensive fire safety audits across the city, with urgent directives issued to the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD).
Property owners and developers who fail to comply with fire safety regulations are being summoned to rectify deficiencies within three days, as authorities intensify measures to prevent future disasters.
