Karachi Plaza Fire Kills 26, Many Missing

In Pakistan, at least 26 people have lost their lives and up to 81 others are still missing after a massive fire broke out at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. The fire has left the building badly damaged and unsafe for people to enter.

The blaze started late on January 17 and took nearly 34 hours to bring under control. Firefighters and rescue teams worked continuously to put out the flames. Even after the fire was controlled, rescue operations have continued as authorities search for missing people.

So far, 26 bodies have been recovered from the building. Officials said DNA tests are being carried out to identify the victims, as many bodies were badly burned. Survivors of the fire said several exits were locked and pointed to serious safety failures, which trapped people inside the building during the blaze.

The Sindh government has announced a compensation of 10 million Pakistani rupees for the families of those who died in the fire. Authorities have also begun investigating the cause of the fire and the safety conditions of the building.