The death toll in the tragic Gul Plaza incident in Karachi has risen to 26, while 83 people remain missing, leaving affected families in a state of deep distress and uncertainty.
Rescue personnel have entered most parts of the fire-damaged building, where search and rescue operations are ongoing, alongside continuous debris removal efforts to reach any possible trapped individuals.
Another fire-affected portion of Gul Plaza has collapsed, while the intensity of the blaze has also damaged the adjacent building, causing its pillars to tilt and raising further safety concerns.
A list of missing persons has been displayed at the Deputy Commissioner South office, where the inclusion of 12 additional names has brought the total number of missing persons to 83. Meanwhile, the mobile locations of 29 individuals are being traced to the surroundings of Gul Plaza.
Out of the 26 people who lost their lives in the horrific fire, 18 have been identified so far, while families of the missing persons have been directed to submit their data and DNA samples at the Civil Hospital to assist in the identification process.
According to Police Surgeon Dr Samia Tariq, DNA samples of 20 bodies have so far been collected at the Civil Hospital, while 48 families have also submitted their DNA samples. DIG Asad Raza stated that the samples are being sent to the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory at the University of Karachi, and the cross-matching process will continue over the next three days.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Forensic Laboratory has received samples from six bodies, while six unidentifiable bodies have been shifted to the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth to facilitate further identification.
On the other hand, a meeting of the investigation committee formed to probe the Gul Plaza fire incident has been convened today, during which the data collected regarding the incident will be reviewed in detail, and possible causes will be examined.
