A fire erupted on the fourth floor of a flat in the Saddar Cooperative Market on Tuesday, days after the Gul Plaza fire.
According to early reports, a fire broke out in a seven-story building in Karachi’s busy Saddar area.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and started efforts to control the flames at the Cooperative Market.
No casualties or injuries have been reported so far. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and authorities are assessing the damage.
Gul Plaza fire Karachi
The fire comes just days after a major blaze at Gul Plaza, which killed 27 people and left at least 83 missing.
This has raised concerns about fire safety in Karachi’s commercial buildings.
In a statement, Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dr Abid Jalal said that while “more than 20 bodies have been recovered, the final number of dead cannot be stated at the moment”.
“Some bodies have been recovered in the form of body parts from various locations,” he added.
“Until it is determined through a technical and forensic verification whether these parts are of the same person or different people, confirming the correct number [of deaths] is difficult,” he further added, Dawn reports.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of South, the process of collecting DNA samples to identify the bodies has started.
So far, 18 affected families have submitted their DNA samples. Rescue teams are constantly busy removing debris, and the search for missing persons is ongoing with the help of modern equipment.
Dozens of citizens are seen crying for hope for their loved ones at Gul Plaza. Many families are still waiting for a miracle that perhaps their loved one will be found alive.
The atmosphere is filled with mourning, helplessness, and waiting.
On the other hand, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab visited Gul Plaza late at night.
While talking to the media, he made it clear that the rescue operation will not be stopped until all the missing persons are found.
He said that all relevant agencies are present on the spot and all possible facilities are being provided to the citizens.
Read more: ‘#Murad Ali Shah istefa do’: netizens outraged after Gul Plaza fire, call for resignation
