Rescue operations at Karachi’s famed Gul Plaza shopping centre continued for a fourth day on Tuesday following the devastating fire, with teams clearing the first floor and beginning searches on the second and third floors.

Key updates on the disaster are as follows:

• Rescue operations at Gul Plaza enter fourth day.

• The death toll rises to 27, with 85 people still missing.

• Rescue teams have cleared the first floor; search continues on the second and third floors.

• A total of 20 bodies have been brought to the Civil Hospital, said Police Surgeon Dr Summaya.

• DNA Samples have been collected from 14 bodies; seven have been fully identified.

• To verify identities, 48 DNA samples from relatives have been collected and sent to the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory and the University of Karachi.

• Identification of human remains recovered from the building is expected to be completed today.

• Two more firefighters were injured during operations, one in serious condition.

• Of the missing, the location of 39 people was traced to Gul Plaza, according to Deputy Commissioner South Javed Khoso.

• Around 40% of the structure has collapsed, and the remaining building is severely damaged.

• Lack of necessary machinery and manpower has slowed rescue efforts, according to sources.

• A committee meeting to determine the cause of the fire and assign responsibility will be held today.

• The operation continues amid fears that more victims could still be trapped under the debris.