Gul Plaza death toll rises to 74 after new DNA identification

The death toll from the Gul Plaza tragedy has risen to 74 after DNA results of an unidentified individual were received by the Police Surgeon Karachi.

Police Surgeon Dr Samia Syed said that some of those who died had no record or identifying data available.

She confirmed that a positive DNA result was received from the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory, but no reference sample had been submitted to match the recovered DNA.

“This indicates that some of the victims who lost their lives at Gul Plaza remain completely unaccounted for,” Dr Syed said, adding that the DNA may belong to a person from outside the city.

She further stated that DNA samples can be submitted at the Police Surgeon Karachi office from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday.

Dr Syed clarified that DNA testing cannot determine age or gender and urged families who have not yet submitted reference samples to do so at the earliest.