Nearly two weeks after the inferno at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, the reality is setting in for many families: they may never bring their loved ones home. Authorities now say identifying roughly 40 victims is unlikely because the fire was so intense it reduced remains to ashes.

Karachi Gul Plaza Fire Tragedy: Final Investigation Report and Death Toll

The heartbreak at Gul Plaza Karachi has reached a definitive, painful milestone. A final inquiry report, compiled by the Karachi Commissioner and the Additional Inspector General of Police, confirms 79 people lost their lives. Most victims died on the mezzanine floor, trapped as smoke and flames choked the building’s narrow corridors.

How the Gul Plaza Fire Started

According to the official investigation, the Karachi Gul Plaza fire was not caused by a short circuit. Rather, it commenced with a flower shop at the ground floor. The first spark was caused by the actions of a child, and it was spread through the air-conditioning ducts of the building. This chimney effect made the ventilation system a highway to the fire, and it bypassed numerous safety fences.

The DNA Identification Crisis

For the families waiting outside forensic labs, the technical hurdles are devastating. Aamir Hassan of the CPLC confirmed that most remaining samples are unusable.

• Total Deaths: 79 confirmed.
• Identified Victims: 27 so far.
• Identification Methods: 20 via DNA, 6 through facial recognition, and 1 by a recovered CNIC.
• Future Prospects: DNA results are expected for only four to five more individuals.

The temperature was so high that even the bones did not produce any viable DNA. This also places dozens of families in a continuous state of limbo since they are not in a position to administer final rites to their lost family.

Timeline of the Gul Plaza Rescue Operation

The report clarifies the response times during that chaotic night on January 17:

• 10:15 PM: Fire breaks out at the ground-floor flower shop.
• 10:30 PM: Deputy Commissioner South arrives on-site.
• 10:37 PM: The first fire tender reaches the scene.
• 33+ Hours: Total time taken to bring the main blaze under control.

Governments have suggested the delivery of unidentified remains on the basis of presence evidence. These are mobile phone location information, eyewitness accounts, and personal effect that was discovered close to remains. These recommendations will be in the final report to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah who will then decide the legal course of action that should be taken against these grieving families.