Karachi: The fire that broke out at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Shahr-e-Quaid on Saturday night was brought under control after 33 hours, the work of removing the debris is underway, access to the basement has been gained, the death toll has reached 15, more than 30 people were injured while more than 65 people are still missing.
According to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, 15 bodies have been found from Gul Plaza, 22 people were slightly injured, they have gone home while 65 people are still missing, Rs 10 million will be paid to the heirs of the deceased.
Voices have started coming from the Gul Plaza building, rescue personnel have started making announcements to evacuate the citizens, the police have been called, the fear of the building collapsing has become acute.
A search operation has been started after removing the debris from Gul Plaza, according to the information given by the citizens to the administration of their loved ones, 73 people are still missing in the Gul Plaza tragedy.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso said that the fire in Gul Plaza has been completely brought under control, the cooling process is underway, access to the basement has been gained, a time frame cannot be given.
No evidence of sabotage found: Police Chief
Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan has said that it is a sad incident, so far 14 people have been confirmed dead, 18 people were injured, no injured are currently undergoing treatment in the hospital, while 59 to 60 people are missing.
The police chief clarified that no evidence of sabotage was found in the initial investigation, the administration gave us a report and if anyone’s negligence is found in it, a case will be registered, the rescue operation is being carried out with caution, a time frame for completion cannot be given.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said that the main fire in Gul Plaza has been completely extinguished, and the cooling process is currently underway, a limited search operation is also being carried out, the fire that broke out on Saturday night had been burning for 33 hours.
Earlier, all the fire brigade vehicles on the back side of Gul Plaza stopped working, because sounds started coming from the building during the fire extinguishing process, the building has become completely dilapidated and there is a risk of its collapse, that is why firefighting has been stopped, only the debris is being removed.
Rescue officials said that the fire was 90 percent controlled, work was stopped due to the deterioration of the building, firefighting was stopped due to the risk of the building collapsing.
DIG South Asad Raza has said that 11 complete bodies have been found from Gul Plaza, while the organs of 3 bodies have been found. The authorities recovered the body of a person from the rubble late last night, whose identity has not yet been established.
Volunteers including Pakistan Navy, Sindh Rangers, KMC, Rescue Sindh were also involved in the firefighting and rescue operation at Gul Plaza, who risked their lives to save human lives.
6 teams consisting of 30 officers formed to supervise the rescue operation
The Deputy Commissioner South has formed 6 teams consisting of 30 officers to supervise the rescue operation at Gul Plaza. All the teams have been formed on the orders of Commissioner Karachi. Karachi: In addition to the head, each team will have assistant commissioners and supervisors. The team will supervise the rescue operations.
According to DC South, a list of 39 people who came to the help desk has been prepared, the location of 31 missing people has come from Gul Plaza.
36-year-old firefighter Furqan Ali, who was buried under the rubble while protecting the lives and property of citizens and died, has today become a beacon of light for the entire city that the dust of time will never be able to fade.
Relatives of 59 people contacted: Police
DIG South Asad Raza said regarding the fire in Gul Plaza that the police contacted various people regarding the missing of 59 people and the mobile numbers of all the people have been obtained from their families.
He said that so far the location of 26 people has been found near Gul Plaza, the location of more people is being scrutinized and the police is working further on the mobile numbers.
According to DIG South, there were 1200 shops in Gul Plaza, additional police personnel have been deployed around it, routes are being kept clear for rescue teams, the real cause of the fire will be revealed in the investigation after cooling.
Earlier, people had filed complaints with the Deputy Commissioner that 56 people were missing, while according to the president of Gul Plaza Traders Association, 80 to 100 people could be present in the building, however, DIG South said that 59 people are missing, the details of which have been obtained.
According to medical officials, people who were unconscious due to smoke were sent home after first aid, two firefighters Irshad and Bilal were injured and are undergoing treatment at PNS Shifa, a total of 30 people were injured, of which 13 were brought to the Burns Center, 15 to its Trauma Center and two to Jinnah Hospital.
People contacted us for more than 55 people, Faisal Edhi
Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi has said that more than 55 people are missing in the building, whose heirs have contacted us. Firefighters are sacrificing their lives to put out the fire and save people. We request the public to cooperate with the police and administration and stay away from the building.
List of dead and injured
According to rescue officials, the deceased include Kashif son of Younus (40 years), Faraz son of Abrar (55 years), Muhammad Amir son of unknown (30 years), Furqan son of Shaukat Ali (25 years) and 5 others whose bodies have not yet been identified.
The injured and affected people include Haseeb son of Waseem (25 years), Waseem son of Saleem (20 years), Daniyal son of Siraj (20 years), Sadiq son of unknown (35 years), Hamza son of Muhammad Ali (22 years), Rahim son of Gul Muhammad (25 years), Fahad son of Muhammad Ayub (20 years), Jawad son of Javed (18 years), Ayan son of unknown (25 years), Abdullah son of Zaheer (20 years), Usman son of Asghar Ali (20 years), Fahad son of Hanif (47 years), Zain son of Abdullah (23 years), Nader son of unknown (50 years) and others. So far, 59 people are missing, the list of names has come to light.
Will compensate for the losses of traders: Sindh Chief Minister
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited Gul Plaza and said that people come here to shop, nowadays it is the wedding season, last night after 10 pm, a fire was reported here, our municipal authorities responded immediately and informed me, the first fire tender reached here at 10:27 pm, the fire extinguishing operation started.
He further said that about 26 fire tenders, four snorkels and 10 bowsers participated, apart from KMC, Pakistan Navy also provided one of its snorkels; 3 fire extinguishers also came from the Civil Aviation Authority, 22 people were injured who were given medical assistance, unfortunately, more than 58 or 60 people are missing, may Allah Almighty grant them life.
Murad Ali Shah said that it was a basement and a three-story building, there were more than a thousand shops here, it is too early to say anything definitive about the way the fire broke out, some say that the fire broke out after a short circuit in one of the shops and there was such material there that the fire spread quickly, the firefighters were not able to find a place to enter, due to which the losses increased, we will try to provide maximum relief to the people, we will compensate the losses of the traders.
CPLC Help Desk Established, Bodies Will Be Identified Through DNA
The CPLC Identification Program Team has set up a camp outside the Civil Hospital Trauma Center. According to Incharge Aamir Hassan, victims can provide details about their missing loved ones at the CPLC Help Desk. The Identification Team works to identify the deceased in the tragedies and trace their heirs.
According to the Incharge, there is a possibility that many people are still present in the debris and building. So far, the relatives of 6 missing persons have contacted and submitted their details. The CPLC program makes it possible to identify unidentified bodies with the help of DNA. In the past, this same team had made it possible to identify the bodies of those who died in the PIA plane crash, the Bela tragedy, Nooriabad and others.
The Incharge further said that so far 40 people have registered with us.
President and Prime Minister contact Sindh CM, offer all kinds of cooperation
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to inquire about the latest situation of the fire in Gul Plaza.
During the telephonic conversation, the President directed the Sindh Chief Minister to utilize all available resources for relief work.
The President praised the bravery of martyred firefighter Furqan Shaukat and asked him to be nominated for a civil award. He also directed immediate steps to take care of the injured and restore the houses of the victims.
During the telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his regret over the Gul Plaza tragedy, offered to provide all kinds of assistance from the federal government, the Prime Minister said that the victims and the Sindh government are with him in this hour of sorrow and hardship.
I will stand by you until the damage is repaired, Sindh Governor
Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori visited Gul Plaza, while talking to the media, he said that the disappearance of more than 70 people is a tragedy, no one wants a fire to break out and someone’s business to be destroyed.
He said that we have to know the factors behind the fire, the Sindh Governor assured that I will stand by you until the damage is repaired.
Mayor Karachi visits Gul Plaza again, directs to speed up relief work
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab visited Gul Plaza again where he inspected the burning building, Mayor Karachi directed to speed up relief work during this time.
Talking to the media, Murtaza Wahab said that around 65 people are missing, there are difficulties in rescue operations due to the rush, operations are also being carried out from behind the building, he cannot give a time when the fire will be completely controlled and the cooling process will be completed.
Murtaza Wahab said that some people protested and shouted slogans on his arrival, he understands the suffering of the people.
Electronics Dealers Association announces day of mourning today for the Gul Plaza tragedy
Electronics Dealers Association President Rizwan Irfan said that the fire in Gul Plaza caused losses of billions of rupees, he said that the shopkeepers and their workers are still in the building.
The President Electronics Dealers Association announced that the markets will remain closed today in mourning and solidarity will be expressed with the shopkeepers.
