21 dead, over 60 missing as bodies pulled from Karachi mall after blaze

Karachi [Pakistan], January 20 (ANI): At least 26 people have been confirmed dead and up to 81 others are reported missing after a massive fire tore through Gul Plaza on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road in Pakistan, leaving the multi-storey commercial building structurally unstable and unsafe for general access, ARY News reported.

Authorities said the blaze, which broke out around 10:00 p.m. on January 17, was brought under control after nearly 34 hours. However, rescue and recovery operations are still underway amid fears of further collapse. Search teams, supported by the Army, Rangers and civil administration, are carrying out a cautious operation while engineers assess the damaged structure.

DIG South confirmed that 26 bodies have so far been recovered from the site. Six victims have been identified, while the remaining bodies will be identified through DNA testing. According to police, 69 people were initially reported missing, with the last known location of 32 traced to Gul Plaza. However, the missing persons desk set up at the Deputy Commissioner's office later revised the figure to 81 missing individuals, based on complaints registered by families, ARY News reported.