Karachi, Jan. 20 -- At least 26 people have been confirmed dead and up to 81 others are reported missing after a massive fire tore through Gul Plaza on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road in Pakistan, leaving the multi-storey commercial building structurally unstable and unsafe for general access, ARY News reported.

Authorities said the blaze, which broke out around 10:00 p.m. on January 17, was brought under control after nearly 34 hours. However, rescue and recovery operations are still underway amid fears of further collapse. Search teams, supported by the Army, Rangers and civil administration, are carrying out a cautious operation while engineers assess the damaged structure.

DIG South confirmed that 26 bodies have so far been recovered from ...