Karachi fire toll rises to 72

The death toll in the fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s Karachi climbed to 72 with a dozen people still reported missing a week after the tragic incident, officials said Sunday.  The fire broke out in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, and quickly spread to the rest of the building in the Saddar area on January 17 night. It was brought under control only after 36 hours. A case has been registered over the massive fire incident at the complex that housed nearly 1,200 wholesale and retail shops spread over an area of 8,000 square feet was left dilapidated. Deputy Commissioner South Javed told the media on Sunday that 72 bodies or human remains have been recovered from the rubbles and debris of the shopping plaza.