Death toll in Karachi shopping plaza fire climbs to 67 as recovery continues

The death toll from a deadly fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi has risen to at least 67, according to police and hospital officials, as rescue teams continue to search the damaged building for additional victims.

Authorities said dozens of newly recovered remains were found inside Gul Plaza, where the fire broke out over the weekend. Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed that many of the remains were severely burned and fragmented, making the identification process slow and challenging.

Rescue workers were still combing through the structure on Thursday, focusing on areas that were previously inaccessible due to safety concerns. Officials have not yet said how long the search operation is expected to continue.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of fire safety enforcement in Pakistan’s major cities, including Karachi, where deadly fires in commercial buildings have repeatedly raised concerns about building standards and emergency preparedness.