Karachi fire horror: 30 bodies found trapped behind shutters in single shop; toll rises to 61 | World News
The tragic incident following the massive fire at Gul Shopping Plaza in Karachi turned even more deadly yesterday as the death toll rose to 61. In a grisly find, authorities managed to pull out 30 dead from a basement Chinese shop, six days after the fire first broke out in the crowded area of Saddar.
Authorities said the confirmed death toll could exceed 100 as cooling efforts are still ongoing and many people are missing.
Behind the Blinds: The ‘Dubai Dining Set’ Tragedy
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DIG Karachi South, Asad Raza confirmed that 30 victims were found in a shop called ‘Dubai Crockery’ located on the mezzanine floor.
Initial investigative findings revealed a tragic struggle for survival; This showed that the iron shutters were being pulled down by shopkeepers and people seeking protection from the approaching smoke and fire, eventually trapping everyone inside the shop, resulting in death.
“The victims were trapped inside when the fire engulfed the floor. Data obtained from recovered mobile phones confirm that these people had been in the mezzanine since Saturday night,” officials said.
Difficulties of Identification Among Ruins
Police Surgeon Dr. “The condition of the bodies of the rescued victims is heartbreaking for the medical team. Most of the bodies delivered to the morgue are burnt beyond recognition,” said Summaiya Syed.
DNA Test: Authorities are preparing to test people for DNA in order to identify the victims and return them to their grieving families.
Suspended Search: Debris removal efforts on other floors were stopped for a moment in order to remove the body from the tile shop.
73 People Missing, including 16 Children
The Sindh provincial government also published a grim list of 73 missing people possibly trapped under the rubble. In addition to women and elderly men, this list includes 16 boys aged 10 to 18 who were working as shop assistants or shopping outside when the fire started on January 17.
‘Zero Security Standard’: Government Investigation Begins
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, who led the investigation team, strongly condemned the “gross negligence by the management” regarding this building.
Violations: The plaza, a large wholesale market, did not comply with international fire safety standards and did not have a working fire extinguisher.
Flame: The fire started Friday night and raged for about 36 hours before being brought under control, but pockets of heat in the basement continue to ignite.
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