KARACHI: At least eight people lost their lives — three women, four men, and a seven-year-old boy — and eight were rescued on Friday after a five-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Karachi’s Lyari.
Rescue operations remain ongoing, with authorities estimating that up to 25 people may still be trapped under the rubble. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed the fatalities to Geo News and said the building — constructed in 1974 — had been previously declared dangerous.
“There are more than 400 buildings that have been declared dangerous. We have two options: either persuade people to leave or evict them forcefully,” the city’s mayor said.
However, every government tries to persuade people rather than using force. Today’s unfortunate event is proof that when the government tells you something, listen,” he said.
In Lyari, buildings are constructed side by side. As a result, when the building collapsed, residents of two adjacent structures — one two-storey and the other seven-storey — were evacuated as a precaution. Police and Rangers have made announcements urging residents to stay away from the site.
According to local officials, the building — located in a compound — had 20 apartments. The scene was marked by chaos and distress as relatives of the trapped victims attempted to assist rescue workers, inadvertently disrupting operations.
Rangers and City Wardens were later deployed to cordon off the area and stop people from approaching the site. Heavy machinery has arrived to clear the debris. Rescue personnel are using a Trapped Person Locator — a device that detects heartbeats under rubble — to identify survivors.
This equipment is deployed after each layer of rubble is cleared, making the operation lengthy but thorough. Authorities said the mission may take several more hours to complete.
Despite fatigue, rescue workers have not taken breaks, and preparations are underway to install floodlights for continued operation after dark. Deputy Commissioner South confirmed that six families were residing in the building at the time of the collapse.
An affected resident from Thatta, whose aunt’s family lived on the fourth floor, said: “We don’t know how many are still inside. Some have been rescued, some have died. My aunt is in critical condition.”
Rescue authorities noted that blocked roads and disrupted mobile signals slowed their response. Local residents initially began rescue efforts themselves before professional teams arrived.
High-level committee formed
Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said operations against illegal and unsafe buildings in Karachi are ongoing.
“Notices are issued to buildings deemed hazardous, but unfortunately, residents are unwilling to vacate,” he said. He confirmed that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the Lyari collapse and will submit its findings within three days.
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The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) revealed that the collapsed structure was 30 years old and had been previously marked unsafe. Several notices had been issued to residents, instructing them to vacate. Officials from the SBCA — including the Director, Deputy Director, and Building Inspectors — have now been suspended.
The SBCA also disclosed that there are 578 unsafe buildings in Karachi, most of which are located in District South.
Minister Ghani stated that a strict and comprehensive policy regarding unsafe buildings will soon be implemented to help prevent such tragedies and protect human lives. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner and rescue teams to prioritise the extraction of those trapped under the debris.
Condemnations
Condemnations started pouring in following the incident, with top leadership expressing deep regret over the loss of precious lives.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed regret over the loss of lives and directed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government to accelerate relief activities.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, conveying heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious lives and extending his sympathies to the families of those who perished in the incident.
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“I share the grief of the bereaved families in this moment of sorrow,” he said, offering prayers for the deceased and patience for their loved ones. Sadiq also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed rescue teams to complete relief operations without delay.
He further said that the injured must be provided with the best possible medical care and offered prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased and strength for their families to bear the loss.
Separately, Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Munim Zafar visited the spot of the incident and strongly condemned the tragic incident.
Speaking to the media, he said that protecting human lives must be the top priority, asking the Sindh government to take immediate action against those responsible.
He claimed that all such illegal constructions are taking place under the SBCA’s patronage. “It is deeply concerning and unacceptable that five-storey buildings are being constructed on just 60-square-yard plots,” he said.
Zafar further said that over 100,000 buildings have been constructed in Karachi over the past five years without proper approval. “It was the SBCA’s responsibility to ensure such buildings were vacated in time,” he added.
“The SBCA has become a hub of corruption, and Karachi is turning into a jungle of concrete,” he added.
