Hopes fade in fourth day of search for dozens missing in Karachi shopping plaza fire

The search for dozens of missing individuals continued for a fourth day on Tuesday after a devastating fire swept through a major shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city. With each passing hour, hopes of finding survivors among the rubble of Gul Plaza dimmed significantly, according to local officials.

Rescue teams have finally accessed some of the most severely damaged sections of the multi-story commercial complex. Many of these areas have either completely collapsed or been critically compromised since the fire erupted on Saturday. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Police and medical authorities confirmed that the remains of at least 23 people have been recovered so far. Dr. Summaiya Syed, the police surgeon overseeing the recovery efforts, reported that many victims were burned beyond recognition, with only body parts recovered in several instances. DNA testing is currently underway to identify the victims.

“The damage is extensive, and the recovery process is incredibly challenging,” said a rescue worker who requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the media. “The building’s structure was compromised by both the intense heat and the water used to extinguish the flames.”

Gul Plaza, one of Karachi’s busiest commercial centers, housed approximately 1,200 shops selling primarily imported clothing, cosmetics, and plastic household goods. The fire struck during business hours when the mall would typically be crowded with shop owners and customers.

Senior police official Asad Raza reported that more than 65 people have been listed as missing since the incident. Mobile phone data analysis indicates that at least 31 individuals were inside the plaza when the fire broke out. Authorities believe the actual number may be higher, as some of those unaccounted for might not have been carrying cell phones at the time.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has taken a hands-on approach to the crisis, personally meeting with the families of the missing, many of whom appeared visibly distressed at the scene. He assured them that authorities are exhausting all possibilities to locate their loved ones.

“We will continue this rescue operation until all missing persons are found,” Wahab told reporters at the site, where heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris from a section that collapsed on Sunday.

In response to the tragedy, Sindh provincial Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced on Monday that the government would provide 10 million rupees (approximately $36,000) in compensation to the family of each person killed in the fire. He maintained that rescue teams were working around the clock, though the likelihood of finding survivors diminished with each passing day.

The devastating fire at Gul Plaza is the latest in a series of similar incidents that have plagued Karachi over the years. The city has a troubling history of deadly fires, frequently attributed to inadequate safety standards, poor regulatory enforcement, and illegal construction practices.

Just last November, another shopping mall fire in the city claimed 10 lives and left 22 people injured. One of Pakistan’s worst industrial disasters occurred in 2012 when a fire engulfed a garment factory in Karachi, killing at least 260 workers.

The recurring nature of these tragedies has raised serious questions about building safety regulations in Pakistan’s commercial capital. Urban planning experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of fire safety codes and regular inspection of commercial buildings.

Local business associations are now demanding a comprehensive safety audit of all major shopping centers in the city to prevent similar disasters in the future. Meanwhile, the families of those still missing continue their agonizing wait for news as rescue operations persist amid increasingly challenging conditions.