Pakistan: 26 people dead, 81 still missing in Karachi's Gul Plaza fire

At least 26 people have been confirmed dead and up to 81 others are reported missing after a massive fire tore through Gul Plaza on Karachis MA Jinnah Road in Pakistan leaving the multistorey commercial building structurally unstable and unsafe for general access ARY News reportedAuthorities said the blaze which broke out around 1000 pm on January 17 was brought under control after nearly 34 hours However rescue and recovery operations are still underway amid fears of further collapse Search teams supported by the Army Rangers and civil administration are carrying out a cautious operation while engineers assess the damaged structureDIG South confirmed that 26 bodies have so far been recovered from the site Six victims have been identified while the remaining bodies will be identified through DNA testing According to police 69 people were initially reported missing with the last known location of 32 traced to Gul Plaza However the missing persons desk set up at the Deputy Commissioners office later revised the figure to 81 missing individuals based on complaints registered by families ARY News reportedDNA sample collection has begun with relatives of 18 victims already submitting samples to assist authorities in the identification process Officials said the situation in and around Gul Plaza and the adjacent Rampa Plaza is under control with all entry points sealed Only authorised rescue personnel are being allowed inside the buildingRescue teams continue to enter the fireravaged structure through rear access points while heavy machinery is being used to clear debris and create safer pathways for search operations Authorities have urged families of missing persons to remain in contact with the DC office helpline for updates ARY News reportedSurvivors have shared harrowing accounts raising serious concerns over safety lapses One survivor Zubair said that although Gul Plaza has 26 gates 24 were locked after 10 pm leaving only two exit routes Darkness and thick smoke made it impossible to escape he said adding that more than 20 people were inside his shop at the timeAnother shopkeeper said he entered the building to rescue trapped people pulling several out unconscious He claimed there were no emergency exits and that locked gates turned the building into a death trapOfficials revealed that Gul Plaza was originally constructed in 1980 with an additional floor added in 1998 after an 18year gap Over time the roof was converted into a parking area and shops were illegally built in the original parking space Although the added floor was later regularised and a completion certificate issued in April 2003 questions have been raised about compliance with safety regulations ARY News reportedMeanwhile the Sindh government has announced Rs 10 million in financial assistance for the families of those who lost their lives Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said compensation would begin to be disbursed from Tuesday describing the incident as a major tragedy and confirming that rescue teams were attempting access from multiple pointsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever