Pakistan: As rescue efforts continue, the number of fatalities from the Gul Plaza mall fire has reached 26, with over 80 people still unaccounted for.

A significant tragedy resulted from a destructive fire that started at the Gul Plaza Mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan. At least 26 people have died, according to authorities, and 81 more are still unaccounted for. The building's structure has significantly deteriorated since the incident and is no longer deemed safe for public access, according to ARY News. According to officials, the fire was contained after almost 34 hours, having begun at around 10 p.m. on January 17. Teams from the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and the civilian government are working together to conduct search operations as rescue and relief efforts continue, while engineers evaluate the damaged structure to identify additional hazards.

26 bodies have been found at the scene, according to DIG South. DNA testing will be used to identify the remaining bodies after six victims have been identified. 32 of the 69 missing people who were initially reported to the police were last found at Gul Plaza. The official number of missing persons has now increased to 81 due to new complaints.

The collection of DNA samples for identification purposes has begun. To help the authorities, relatives of eighteen victims have already turned in their samples. According to officials, all entry points have been sealed and Gul Plaza and the neighboring Rampa Plaza have been completely secured, according to ARY News. It further stated that only authorized rescue personnel are permitted inside. In the meantime, a secure access path has been established for search and debris removal activities. Families of missing people have also been advised by authorities to stay in contact with the DC Office helpline for regular updates.

Gul Plaza has 26 gates in total, but 24 of them were closed after 10 p.m., leaving only two exit points open, according to Zubair, a survivor who barely avoided the fire. He claimed that it was nearly impossible to find a way out due to the darkness and dense smoke. There were over twenty people inside his shop at the time of the incident.Another retailer claimed that he went inside the burning structure to save those who were trapped inside and was successful in removing a number of unconscious individuals. He asserted that the building was a "death trap" due to the closed gates and the lack of an emergency exit.

Gul Plaza mall was built in 1980, and an extra floor was added in 1998, according to officials. The terrace was transformed into a parking lot over time, and illicit stores were constructed in the original parking area. A completion certificate wasn't issued until April 2003, even though the additional floor that was later added was eventually regularized.The families of the deceased will receive financial support, according to the Sindh government. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah called the incident a major tragedy and stated that compensation distribution will start on Tuesday.