{"id":726,"date":"2026-01-26T09:42:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T09:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=726"},"modified":"2026-01-26T09:43:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T09:43:02","slug":"gul-plaza-fire-death-toll-rises-to-73-search-operation-nears-completion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=726","title":{"rendered":"Gul Plaza Fire Death Toll Rises to 73; Search Operation Nears Completion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KARACHI:<\/strong> The death toll from the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has risen to 73 as the search operation at the site nears completion, officials said on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fire, which broke out on January 17, engulfed the sprawling shopping complex housing over 1,200 family-owned stores selling wedding clothes, toys, crockery, and other goods. It is considered the city\u2019s largest fire in more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khosa, said the search operation is almost complete and the fire-hit building will be sealed tomorrow. \u201cThere were 82 missing individuals. Anyone still searching for a relative can contact us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding identification, Khosa said 13 missing persons have yet to be matched as families have not provided DNA samples. So far, DNA matching has been completed for 23 individuals, and 23 of the 73 deceased have been identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He urged the public to avoid entering the damaged building, adding that the area has been marked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSP City, Arif Aziz, said statements are being recorded from administration staff, security personnel, and others to investigate the fire. \u201cOnce negligence and lapses are identified, all aspects will be revealed,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed that 73 post-mortem examinations have been completed, with recovery of human remains ongoing. Medical teams remain on standby at Civil Hospital Karachi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori visited the family of victim Aftab, pledging to fund the education of his four children and urging authorities to provide direct support to all victims\u2019 families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, a first information report (FIR) has been registered at Nabi Bux Police Station under provisions relating to negligence and carelessness. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said concerns of sabotage or terrorism are under investigation, and anti-terror provisions may be added if evidence is found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has requested the formation of a federal inquiry commission to probe the tragedy, urging the inclusion of FIA, NAB, NDMA, MI, ISI, Nespak, and SBP. He also called for the establishment of a relief and rehabilitation fund to support the victims\u2019 families.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KARACHI: The death toll from the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has risen to 73 as the search operation at the site nears completion, officials said on Sunday. 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