Gul Plaza Tragedy: Only Human Bones Found as Rescue Operation Enters Final Stage

KARACHI: The rescue operation at Gul Plaza has reached a critical stage, with authorities now recovering human bones instead of complete bodies, highlighting the intensity of the fire, said Senior Fire Officer Zafar Khan on Friday.

According to Khan, a fire briefly reignited in the basement during the operation. Firefighters quickly controlled the flames. He explained that a diesel tank on the building’s roof had not been removed on time, and when crews attempted to bring it down, it caught fire. Fortunately, it was extinguished without further damage.

Khan added that the structural integrity of the building has been severely compromised, making full-body recoveries impossible. Rescue teams are now focused on retrieving remaining human remains from the rubble.

Death Toll and Identification

Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khoso, told reporters outside the plaza that the search operation is in its final phase and is expected to conclude today. He added that the operation is being conducted under strict supervision to prevent further accidents.

Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Syed said that post-mortems of 67 bodies have been completed, and 16 victims have been identified. Of these, six were recognizable at the time of recovery, eight were identified through DNA testing, one through a national identity card, and one via a neck locket.

Cause of the Fire

Investigators’ preliminary report ruled out an electrical short circuit. Sources revealed that the fire originated in a shop selling artificial flowers, where children were reportedly playing. The blaze reportedly started when children played with matches or a lighter, igniting the shop’s materials. The fire quickly spread to electrical wiring and engulfed the entire building within minutes.

Officials noted that many exits were locked, which caused a stampede as people tried to escape, trapping numerous victims inside. The incident, which occurred on January 17 around 10:00 PM, remains one of the deadliest fires in Karachi in recent years.

Families of the victims continue to wait for the recovery of their loved ones, while authorities stress that full identification will rely on forensic and DNA analysis.