Rescuers uncovered at least 30 bodies from a charred shop in Karachi of Pakistan on Wednesday as they continued to sift through the ruins.
Karachi South DIG Syed Asad Raza said that the remains were found in “Dubai Crockery”, a shop situated on the mezzanine floor of the Gul Plaza, Dawn reported.
He also said that three bodies had been retrieved earlier in the day, raising the toll from 28 to 31. With the latest discovery, officials now estimate the death count has climbed to 61, though Raza stressed that the final figure would only be confirmed after DNA testing.
Families of the missing and fellow shopkeepers had already warned that many people were likely trapped inside. Raza said, victims had last communicated that they believed the fire was under control and that they would be safe, but tragically suffocated while waiting.
According to the South police chief, a bomb disposal squad had inspected the site but found no evidence of sabotage in the preliminary probe.
Local resident Rasheed told Dawn the shop had extended its hours until 2am for a wedding‑season sale, instead of closing at its usual 10pm.
The blaze broke out at Gul Plaza late Saturday night. Firefighters initially declared it extinguished after more than 24 hours on Sunday, but smouldering debris reignited on Monday, forcing renewed efforts.
The commercial complex, a ground‑plus‑three‑storey structure with 1,200 shops spread across 8,000 square yards, partially collapsed during the inferno.
Sindh government’s inquiry committee, led by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, inspected the gutted plaza on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Karachi Additional IG Azad Khan, another member of the panel tasked with investigating the circumstances of the disaster.
