Karachi: A tragic incident unfolded in Karachi’s historic Lyari neighborhood as a decades-old residential building collapsed, leaving at least 7 people dead and 8 others injured. According to the initial investigation report compiled by Rescue 1122, the building was in a dilapidated state and warnings had previously been issued to its residents.
The collapse occurred in the Baghdadi area, and the first alert was received by the Central Command and Control at 10:53 AM. Rescue 1122’s Urban Search and Rescue team, along with a Disaster Response Vehicle, was immediately dispatched to the scene.
A full-scale rescue operation was launched involving 5 disaster response vehicles, 2 snorkels, multiple ambulances, cranes, lifters, and over 100 personnel. However, the operation faced severe challenges due to blocked streets, poor network coverage, and crowds gathering at the site.
So far, 7 people have been confirmed dead and 8 rescued with injuries. Rescue teams provided on-site first aid and continue efforts to search for any more individuals possibly trapped under the debris. The operation will continue until the area is fully cleared.
SINDH GOVT SPOKESPERSON NADIR GABOL SPEAKS OUT
Sindh Government spokesperson Nadir Gabol confirmed that residents had been warned about the building’s condition, but many had nowhere else to go. “They kept saying, ‘Where should we go?’” he told reporters.
He added that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has formed a committee to investigate the incident and determine responsibility. “This is a city where buildings are illegally constructed on 80-square-yard plots without approval,” Gabol said.
He revealed that his father, former MNA Nabeel Gabol, had previously raised concerns about the poor state of such buildings with the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). “Many buildings have had their upper floors demolished due to safety risks,” he noted.
Gabol pointed out the difficulty of conducting rescue operations in Lyari’s narrow streets and stated that the provincial government is trying to deliver machinery and equipment to the scene. He added that if surrounding buildings are found to be unsafe, residents would be relocated to safer housing.
SBCA CHIEF CONFIRMS: BUILDING WAS OVER 50 YEARS OLD
SBCA Director General Ishaq Khoso revealed that the collapsed building was likely over 50 years old and may have been built before 1979. He confirmed that a technical committee and the demolition team were already on-site, assessing the situation.
The SBCA is also reviewing whether the building was on their list of 526 dangerous structures in Karachi. “We regularly publish warnings about hazardous buildings in newspapers,” Khoso said.
He also confirmed that a full survey is underway in the surrounding area. “There are nearly 50 more deteriorating buildings in Lyari alone,” he warned. Surveys have also been conducted in Hyderabad and other parts of Sindh, and many dangerous buildings have already been evacuated.
Conclusion:
This tragic collapse is more than just an isolated accident — it’s a stark reminder of the looming dangers posed by unchecked construction, neglected infrastructure, and inadequate relocation planning. Without swift and decisive action, Karachi remains vulnerable to more such preventable disasters.
