KARACHI: A devastating fire at Gul Plaza has claimed the lives of multiple victims, including two sons of Anwar Ali, who now faces an overwhelming loss. Through tears, the grieving father shared his sorrow, revealing that he has already buried his younger son, Farooq, who tragically perished in the blaze. His elder son, Rafiq, remains missing, and Anwar fears that both were trapped in the building after Rafiq had gone to visit Farooq just before the fire broke out.
Anwar expressed his frustration with the Sindh government’s response, criticizing the lack of outreach from officials or influential figures to offer condolences or assistance. He now carries the responsibility of caring for his sons’ six children, all of whom are left without their fathers. At his advanced age, Anwar questioned how he would manage such a heavy burden.
Meanwhile, rescue and recovery operations continue at Gul Plaza, where authorities have discovered numerous bodies. The death toll has now risen to 63, with many of the victims found in a shop on the mezzanine floor. Authorities confirmed that 25 to 30 bodies were recovered from Dubai Crockery, a store on the mezzanine level, where many people had been trapped during the fire.
Rescue teams, with assistance from the Army, Rangers, and civil authorities, are working tirelessly to search the wreckage. The recovery efforts are still ongoing, and officials have acknowledged the crucial help from traders and shopkeepers in facilitating the process. Authorities have also set up dedicated help desks and DNA collection centres to assist in victim identification.
The fire, which started late on January 17, has been brought under control after over 30 hours. However, the building remains structurally unstable, and engineers are assessing its safety. Families of the missing continue to work closely with officials as investigations into the cause of the tragedy proceed.
