Gul Plaza Tragedy: Technical Team to Enter Building for Final Inspection Before Sealing, Says DC
KARACHI: Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso has said that the search operation at the fire-hit Gul Plaza is nearing completion, with a technical team scheduled to enter the building today for a final inspection before it is sealed.
Speaking to a private news channel, the deputy commissioner said that once the technical assessment is completed, the damaged structure will be sealed. He added that families still searching for missing relatives may continue to coordinate with the authorities.
According to the DC, relatives of 13 out of 79 missing persons have yet to submit DNA samples, which has delayed the identification process. He further said that data of 30 recovered bodies has already been forwarded to the government to facilitate compensation for the affected families.
Meanwhile, SSP City Arif Aziz said that investigations are underway to determine all aspects of negligence linked to the incident. He said authorities are probing why exit doors were not opened despite the fire spreading inside the building.
Officials confirmed that of the 73 people who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza tragedy, only 23 have so far been identified.
The devastating fire broke out at Gul Plaza on the night of January 17, completely gutting the building and triggering one of Karachi’s deadliest commercial fire incidents in recent years. Investigations and identification efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to conclude the operation.
