The Sindh government has intensified rescue, relief, and safety review efforts following the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, as officials revealed alarming details about missing persons, blocked exits, and weak fire safety systems in the commercial building.
An emergency meeting on the Gul Plaza tragedy was chaired by Sindh Chief Minister’s Advisor on Rehabilitation, Gianchand Essrani, in Karachi.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Rehabilitation Nisar Ahmed Memon, Director General PDMA Salman Shah, and Director General Rescue 1122 Sindh Wajid Mehr.
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During the briefing, DG Rescue 1122 Wajid Mehr informed the meeting that 86 people are still missing in the tragedy, while bodies and human remains of several victims have been recovered from the debris.
He said that the search and rescue operation will continue for the next two days, although the process of removing debris may take another two to four days.
Officials stated that rescue teams faced severe difficulties because the fire reached dangerous levels inside the building.
According to Rescue 1122, the death toll increased due to blocked exits, windows, and internal routes within the plaza, which prevented people from escaping during the fire.
READ: Karachi Gul Plaza Fire, Live Updates
The briefing also revealed serious flaws in fire safety arrangements at Gul Plaza. Officials said there were no effective fire prevention measures in the building, and only around 200 fire extinguishers were available for more than 1,200 shops.
Advisor Gianchand Essrani said that the Sindh government is fully mobilised to respond to the tragedy and provide complete support to affected families.
He stressed that protecting human lives is the government’s top priority and that no negligence will be tolerated in matters of public safety.
He added that the Sindh government will provide rehabilitation, financial assistance, and legal support to the victims and their families.
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“The victims will not be left alone,” he said, assuring that all possible help will be extended to those affected by the disaster.
Essrani also announced that a comprehensive review of fire safety and building safety mechanisms is being conducted across Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
He said strict action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence, and a province-wide fire safety audit of commercial buildings will be launched to prevent similar incidents in the future.
