Rescue workers sift through debris using excavators after a massive fire at a Karachi shopping mall. Photo: AFP
The death toll following a massive fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road rose to 29 on Wednesday, while more than 80 people remain missing as rescue teams continued their search operations in dangerous conditions days after the fire broke out.
Rescue 1122 said another body was found among the debris, bringing the confirmed death toll to 29. Human remains were also found during the operation and transferred to a hospital for further examination.
Read: Gul Plaza fire death toll rises to 28 as DNA tests begin to identify victims
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso said debris removal would not begin until all the missing people were found. He said rescue and search operations were continuing under the supervision of a technical team.
Authorities said the number of missing people rose to 86 after the family of a 65-year-old man, Jahangir Shah, registered his details at the missing persons office. Authorities said some entries were duplicates and were being verified.
Rescue officials said three more bodies were identified from previously unidentifiable remains through DNA testing by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee. The identified victims included a 15-year-old girl and two adult men. Families began receiving bodies from the morgue.
Learn more: Gul Plaza fire death toll rises to 26 as rescue efforts continue
Rescue crews entered the building nearly 40 hours after the fire started Saturday evening, but faced repeated disruptions as flames continued to reignite in different parts of the structure. Officials said lingering smoke and intense heat complicated operations, particularly in collapsed sections of the square.
Speaking to media at the site, a DC South official said the intact portion of the building was also being excavated and access routes were being created inside the structure. He said the entire square would only be demolished once search operations were completed.
Authorities have temporarily closed the adjacent Rampa Plaza, pending a report from the Sindh Building Control Authority to assess possible risks.
Also read: Gul Plaza fire causes 100 billion rupees losses, 1,000 shops destroyed
Police are also investigating the disappearance of two dumpers linked to the incident, officials said.
Relatives of the missing people expressed concern over the removal of debris, saying they feared human remains would be swept away with the rubble.
