ISTANBUL
The death toll from a massive fire at a major shopping mall in Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi rose to 71, as rescuers found remains of another four bodies on Friday, an official said.
Dr. Summaiya Syed, Karachi's chief police surgeon, told Anadolu that out of 71 bodies, only 20 have so far been identified, as most of them are badly charred.
The final death toll can only be determined once the identification of the remains is completed, she further said as search efforts entered the seventh day on Friday, with dozens still missing.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso told reporters the search and rescue operation is in its final stage, expected to conclude on Friday.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has called for a judicial inquiry into the fire, saying those responsible "should be identified and punished without delay."
The fire broke out on Saturday at the Gul Plaza shopping center on MA Jinnah Road, a busy commercial artery in Karachi’s historic business district. Flames burned for more than 24 hours before firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control.
Gul Plaza houses around 1,200 shops, including outlets selling clothing, electrical appliances, cosmetics, and crockery. Officials said the presence of highly flammable goods contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the fire.