Firefighting and rescue teams are set to expand their search operation at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping Centre after the blaze was fully extinguished in the early hours of Monday. Police said families of 59 missing individuals have contacted authorities and provided mobile numbers, adding that the locations of 26 people have been traced inside the building.
According to Rescue 1122 officials, teams were able to enter the charred building to begin searching for survivors and bodies, even as the cooling process continued.
The fire, which broke out late Saturday night at the shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road, was around 70 per cent contained by Sunday afternoon, officials said.
Police said that families of 59 missing individuals have contacted authorities and shared mobile numbers, adding that the locations of 26 people have been traced inside the building.
Rescuers gained limited access to the gutted structure on Sunday night and recovered four additional bodies, bringing the death toll to 10, while nearly 60 people remain unaccounted for.
During the search, rescue teams also recovered body parts belonging to three people, including a child. The remains were shifted to the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital, a rescue spokesperson said.
Officials said the operation involves 22 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowsers, four snorkels and 33 ambulances.
