Gul Plaza Fire Tragedy: Search Operation to End Today, Says DC South

A devastating fire that broke out at Gul Plaza on Karachi’s M.A. Jinnah Road late Saturday night, January 17, has turned into one of the city’s deadliest commercial building disasters, claiming dozens of lives and leaving many families awaiting closure. While the blaze has been brought under control, the structure remains dangerously unstable, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Deputy Commissioner Karachi South Javed Nabi Khoso announced on Sunday that the search operation at Gul Plaza will conclude today, according to reports. Speaking to the media, the DC said authorities would soon reach a conclusion regarding the incident and assured that all necessary legal action would be taken in accordance with the law.

Officials confirmed that more than 71 people have lost their lives in the tragedy, while over 80 individuals were initially reported missing. Rescue teams, supported by the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), and civil authorities, continue working amid extreme heat, unstable debris, and collapsed sections of the building.

Investigators have recovered three digital video recorders (DVRs) from the rubble, which officials believe could provide critical insight into the cause and sequence of events leading up to the fire. The devices have been handed over to the Deputy Commissioner’s office for technical analysis.

Authorities revealed alarming safety failures, including reports that most exits were locked at the time of the fire, severely restricting evacuation. Survivors have described scenes of darkness, thick smoke, and panic inside the building.

DNA profiling remains underway as many of the recovered remains are badly damaged, making identification difficult. Help desks and helplines have been established to assist families of missing persons, while compensation of Rs10 million has been announced for the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, structural assessments are ongoing to determine whether the remaining sections of Gul Plaza will be demolished. Officials say final decisions will be made only after a thorough technical review by relevant authorities.

As rescue efforts near their final phase, authorities continue to urge patience, emphasizing that safety and proper identification of victims remain the top priority.