On Monday, the police in Karachi formed a five-member special investigation team to look into the Gul Plaza tragedy and apprehend those accountable for the incident.

Gul Plaza Fire Karachi: Special Investigation Team Formed as Search Operation Nears End

A notification from South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza revealed that the special team will be led by the city Superintendent of Police (SP) for investigations and will make “all-out and diligent efforts to arrest the accused individuals using all available resources.”

The notification also mentioned that the team consists of the Garden sub-divisional police officer, the Kharadar deputy SP (investigation), the Nabi Bux station house officer, the in-charge of the Garden Centralised Investigation Cell (investigation), and the investigation officer assigned to the case.

Inspection Approached Its Conclusion

The search operation at the Gul Plaza building in Karachi, which was affected by a fire, is approaching its conclusion, and the structure will be sealed following a final inspection, according to South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso earlier today, as the death toll increased to 73.

Personnel from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation have commenced sealing activities at the site, excavating around the building to set up iron shuttering. Officials mentioned that the structure will also be wrapped with green plastic netting as part of this process.

In a statement to reporters, Khoso mentioned that the nine-day search operation would end after a final review by a survey team later today, at which point the affected building will be sealed. He noted that the ground floor and the mezzanine level of the first floor of Gul Plaza had been entirely cleared, while one portion of the building remains to be searched.

79 individuals are still reported as missing

Khoso indicated that 79 individuals are still reported as missing. DNA samples have been collected from the families of 55 victims thus far, and the families of 13 others have been given until today to present their samples.

He stated that claims will be deemed incorrect if families do not come forward. Khoso added that the identification of 23 victims has been completed, including six identified on the initial day, and pointed out that some families have multiple missing relatives.

FIR Registered

On Saturday, the police lodged a criminal case regarding the fire, citing negligence and inadequate safety measures. A first information report (FIR) was filed under Sections 322, 337-H(I), 436, and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to police.

The case was registered with the government as the complainant, naming unknown individuals, as the investigation report is not yet finished.

The FIR indicates that extreme negligence and carelessness occurred at Gul Plaza, where safety measures were absent. It mentions that the lights were turned off during the fire, making it difficult for individuals inside the building, and several exits were found to be closed.

In the meantime, a technical investigation team appointed by the Sindh government, consisting of experts from NED University, conducted an inspection of Gul Plaza. The team examined the building’s structure, especially its pillars, to evaluate its safety.

The team is expected to present a report to the Sindh government and the district administration, outlining how long the building can remain standing, whether it needs immediate demolition, or if only certain areas pose risks.

Click Here to Read More: Fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza Kills 6, Injures Dozens

Additionally, a technical team from Lahore visited Gul Plaza on Sunday to conduct investigations as the rescue operation entered its eighth day. Police and district administration officials accompanied the investigative team, which included forensic specialists, during their inspections at various locations within the plaza.