KARACHI: At least five people lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries after a five-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari on Friday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation amid fears that dozens may still be trapped under the rubble.
Rescue officials confirmed that four bodies and six injured individuals were pulled from the debris shortly after the incident. One of the injured — a 40-year-old woman — later succumbed to her injuries at Civil Hospital Karachi, where she had been admitted in critical condition.
According to emergency personnel, the building housed six families and initial reports suggest that 25 to 30 people may have been inside at the time of the collapse. The cause of the collapse is believed to be structural failure due to the building’s dilapidated condition.
Delayed Rescue Efforts Amid Infrastructure Challenges
Rescue efforts were launched immediately after the collapse was reported. However, blocked access roads and the suspension of mobile phone signals in the area significantly delayed the arrival of heavy machinery and coordination among emergency teams. In the meantime, local residents began digging through the debris in a desperate effort to save their neighbors.
Two adjacent buildings — one two-storey and another seven-storey — were evacuated as a precaution. Authorities also reported that the staircase of the nearby seven-storey structure had collapsed, raising concerns over its structural stability.
Authorities Acknowledge Building Was Declared Unsafe
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) revealed that the collapsed building was over 30 years old and had been declared unsafe some time ago. According to SBCA officials, multiple notices were issued to residents instructing them to vacate the premises. Enforcement actions were reportedly taken, although no details were provided.
Local residents, however, contested these claims, insisting that they were never formally warned or instructed to evacuate.
SBCA officials further disclosed that Karachi has 578 structures categorized as unsafe, with the highest concentration in District South.
Victims’ Families in Grief
Speaking to Geo News, a relative of the building’s owner shared that three residential portions existed on each floor, and the building was typically full of occupants. His own family members lived on the fourth floor. He confirmed that his aunt was critically injured and later died, while her son was killed instantly. Three more relatives remain missing and are feared trapped.
Government Response and Investigation
Deputy Commissioner South confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine why residents were not evacuated despite the building being declared hazardous.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He extended condolences to the families of the deceased and directed authorities to provide all necessary medical care to the injured. The premier also called for urgent action to expedite rescue operations and develop a proactive strategy to prevent such incidents in the future.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that all available resources should be mobilized for rescue and relief. He warned that any form of negligence would not be tolerated.
In response to the tragedy, the Sindh Local Government Department has formed a high-level inquiry committee tasked with identifying negligent officers within three days. Furthermore, the Sindh Local Government Minister has ordered the immediate suspension of relevant officials from the SBCA
