Gul Plaza Fire: Search Operation Completed, SBCA Takes Over

KARACHI: Rescue authorities have completed search and debris clearance efforts at the Gul Plaza tragedy site, according to GTV News.

According to the district administration, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has now taken over the fire-damaged Gul Plaza building.

The administration claimed that the SBCA will make the choice on whether to demolish the structure or pursue other options.

Officials verified that all operations at the facility had been halted yesterday.

According to Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Syed, some of those who died in the Gul Plaza fire catastrophe have yet to be recognized, prompting concerns that victims may include those whose relatives are still uninformed of their fate.

According to reports, the Police Surgeon’s Office in Karachi has received a report about an unnamed victim of the Gul Plaza fire. With this recent development, the dead toll from the fire has grown to 74.

Dr. Samia Syed reported that the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory has returned a positive DNA result. However, no matching reference samples have been submitted thus far.

On the night of Saturday, January 17, a large fire broke out at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road, engulfing the commercial hub in flames and trapping scores inside.

The fire was brought under control after more than 32 hours, exposing the vulnerability of the emergency response system, which failed to handle the calamity.

The structure remains structurally unstable, and rescue teams—supported by the Army, Rangers, and civil authorities—are still searching for missing people. Families are interacting with authorities at support stations and DNA collection centers, while engineers inspect the damaged structure.