Nearly 10 days after the devastating fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, the identification of victims remains a grim challenge.
While talking to Business Recorder, Police Surgeon Karachi, Dr Summaiya Tariq explained the DNA identification process for victims and missing persons of the Gul Plaza fire at Civil Hospital Karachi.
She said that the dead body samples they had were quite tricky as the DNA had degraded due to the intensity of the blaze.
She said so far they had received more than 70 remains, out of which six bodies were identified with the help of their facial features from their families.
“Another body was identified through their CNIC. Nine cases were identified through DNA,” she said.
The police surgeon further said that 14 bodies could not be identified as their DNA sample could not be salvaged.
“Since the forensic lab is working 24/7, we are hopeful of identifying more bodies.”
Meanwhile, Aamir Hassan Khan, head of the task force, said that the first choice for DNA samples was the victim’s parents or children.
“If they are not available, samples are taken from the victim’s brother or sister,” he said.
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He further said that the time for DNA profiling is at least three to five days.
“But the Sindh Forensic DNA is working speedily and hopefully results will come out soon.”
A massive fire erupted late on the night of January 17, at Gul Plaza, a large shopping complex on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi which housed about 1,200 family-run shops.
The blaze spread quickly through the multi-story building. It burned for nearly 36 hours before being brought under control on January 19.
At least 73 people died in the inferno, while 82 people remain missing, Aaj News reported on Sunday.
The Sindh government also announced that the family of each deceased victim will be given Rs10 million as compensation. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also assured that the affected shopkeepers would not be left alone and would be supported to get back on their feet.
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