Rescue operations at Karachi’s Gul Plaza have been intensified as rescue teams continue to search for missing individuals following the devastating fire.

Rescue personnel have been searching for the people trapped under the rubble as authorities estimated that 74 people are still missing.

Fifteen more bodies were recovered on Monday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 23.

Officials have expressed concerns over the poor condition of the building, warning that parts of the fire-hit plaza could collapse.

Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the affected area for their own safety as the search and rescue efforts continued.

Earlier, the rescue workers faced stiff difficulties in controlling the devastating third-degree fire at Gul Plaza, after flames reignited on the third floor, hampering firefighting efforts.

The tragedy has so far claimed 18 lives, including a firefighter who was part of the rescue operation, while at least 30 people have been injured.

According to DIG South Asad Raza, the deceased included one woman.

Rescue and search operations have been ongoing, and efforts are being made to recover more victims from the rubble.

Karachi police chief Azad Khan visited Gul Plaza to assess the ongoing rescue operations.

He stated that reports indicate that approximately 65 people remain trapped inside the building.

The police chief also clarified that there is no evidence of sabotage or foul play in connection with the incident.

Earlier, police officials claimed that missing-person reports for 59 individuals have been filed so far.

However, the district administration said that the list of missing persons currently contains 73 names.

Families remained in anguish as authorities feared that dozens of people — among them four women and three children — were still missing.

According to the latest situation, the intensity of the fire has left the building in an extremely poor condition.

After the rear side, the front section of Gul Plaza has also collapsed, prompting authorities to declare the entire structure highly unsafe.

Rescue officials said that cracks have developed in the building’s pillars, making it dangerous to enter the premises.

Dense smoke is also hampering visibility and making it difficult to navigate inside the building.

Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered at the site continues to obstruct rescue and relief operations.

Rescue and firefighting teams remain at the scene, battling the blaze and searching tirelessly for anyone who may still be trapped inside the building.

According to rescue workers, firefighters used cutters to open windows and demolished parts of the walls with hammers to gain access to affected areas.

On Sunday night, firefighters managed to enter the building amid concerns that people may still be trapped on the third floor of the plaza.

A limited search operation was carried out inside the burnt shops, during which rescue workers called out repeatedly in an attempt to locate survivors. Thermal cameras have also been installed at the site.

Sources said human remains of three individuals, including a child, have been recovered and shifted to the Trauma Centre of Civil Hospital.

Police officials said they have obtained mobile phone numbers of missing persons from their families.

The last known locations of more than 20 mobile phones have been traced to Gul Plaza.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited Gul Plaza again and directed authorities to expedite relief and rescue efforts.

Speaking to the media, he said around 65 people were still missing, adding that rescue work was facing difficulties due to the rush of people at the site.

He added that operations were also being conducted at the rear side of the building.

The mayor stated that no timeline can be given for the complete dousing of the fire and the cooling process.

The mayor rejected the claims of a delayed response and clarified that an emergency call was received at 10.27pm on Saturday, and the fire brigade reached the site within 15 minutes.

Referring to the protest by people who raised slogans against the government authorities, he said that public emotions were understandable given the scale of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Electronics Dealers Association president Rizwan Irfan has announced that markets will remain closed today (Monday) to mourn the loss of human lives and express solidarity with traders affected by the Gul Plaza tragedy. He said the fire has caused losses worth billions of rupees.

Regarding the Gul Plaza fire, DIG South Asad Raza said that so far, the deaths of 14 people have been confirmed.
Among the deceased, one is a woman while the rest are men.
He added that the recovery of bodies is still ongoing during the operation.
Unidentified bodies have been temporarily placed in the Edhi morgue for safekeeping.