The death toll from Karachi’s Gul Plaza rose to 73 on Sunday, a day prior to authorities completing the building’s search operation and commencing demolition of the ruins.
A fire broke out at Gul Plaza shopping complex on Jan. 17 around 10 p.m. and was finally put out nearly 36 hours later on Jan. 19. At the time of the inferno, thousands were reportedly in the building, which had housed 1,200 stores. In the immediate aftermath, authorities had announced 14 deaths and 70 people missing; this has since been revised to 73 confirmed deaths.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khosa told Geo News on Sunday that authorities are awaiting DNA samples of 13 victims. He said forensic analysis had completed DNA matching for 23 of the confirmed victims, while 50 remained unidentified.
The police have opened an investigation into the incident, with SSP City Arif Aziz telling media the process of taking statements is ongoing. “Once negligence and lapses come to light, all aspects will be revealed,” he said. “We are investigating why doors were closed and why they were not opened after the fire broke out,” he said, referring to reports of several of the building’s entry and exit points being locked at the time of the incident.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan) Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, however, has sought the federal government’s intervention, writing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the constitution of a Gul Plaza tragedy inquiry commission. The MQM-P is a long-time political opponent of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is currently ruling over Sindh and Karachi.