The death toll from a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping complex in Karachi, Pakistan, has reached 71, nearly a week after the blaze erupted. Rescue teams continue to recover remains as they search the damaged structure, according to reports from Dunya News.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso stated on Saturday that 71 bodies or remains have been recovered from the 82 people initially reported missing. Eleven individuals remain unaccounted for. Approximately 90 per cent of the plaza has been cleared, and the search operation is anticipated to conclude later Saturday.
Rescue teams have re-entered the upper floors of the building using snorkels, though searching the most structurally compromised section has not yet begun. Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed noted that identifying the remains has proven difficult, with only 16 bodies identified so far due to their condition, complicating the DNA identification process.
The process of providing financial assistance to the families of the deceased is underway. Documentation for eight families has been completed and submitted to the Sindh government.
Growing Frustration
Families of the missing have expressed increasing frustration with the pace of the recovery efforts. Protests erupted Friday near the site of the fire, with relatives of the missing accusing officials and rescue teams of slow progress, as reported by The Express Tribune.
Demonstrators, including women holding photographs of loved ones, described feeling ignored and receiving only vague assurances. They questioned why debris removal had not been completed six days after the disaster, describing the uncertainty as “mentally unbearable.”
If the search operation concludes as expected tonight, it could bring a measure of closure to some families. However, the eleven individuals still unaccounted for mean that the situation remains fluid, and further recovery efforts may be necessary. It is possible that the investigation into the cause of the fire will begin once the search is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are still missing?
Eleven people remain unaccounted for following the fire at Gul Plaza, according to Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso.
How many bodies have been identified?
As of Saturday, only 16 bodies have been identified, due to the severe condition of the remains, according to Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed.
What compensation is being offered to the families of the deceased?
The Sindh provincial government has announced compensation of Rs 10 million (one crore rupees) for each deceased victim’s family.
What steps might families take to cope with such a devastating loss and prolonged uncertainty?
