Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall fire tragedy continues to unfold as authorities report that 15 victims have been identified so far, according to Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Tariq. Many of these bodies were discovered in fragmentary condition, with seven largely intact remains recognized through physical features, while others are being identified through DNA testing at Civil Hospital Karachi. This comes amid an extensive ongoing search and rescue operation at the gutted multi-storey complex on M.A. Jinnah Road, where the blaze erupted late on January 17 and burned for more than 24 hours.
The death toll from the fire has climbed rapidly as rescue teams recover bodies from unstable rubble, with officials estimating dozens more victims may still be trapped and unidentified. DNA matching is being used extensively due to the condition of many remains. Families of the missing are awaiting confirmation, and authorities continue recovery efforts despite hazardous conditions inside the collapsed structure.
The fire has devastated Karachi’s historic Saddar area and has reignited public scrutiny over fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness in commercial buildings. The Sindh government has initiated an inquiry into causes and safety lapses while offering compensation packages for confirmed fatalities.