Staff Reporter
Karach
At least two person died after a multi-storeyed residential building collapsed in Karachi’s Korangi area, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Director Dr Seemin Jamali said. The victim was 15 years old, she added.
As many as 10 injured people were brought to the hospital, all of whom were stable, she said.
The five-storey building was located near Rasheedia Masjid in Allah Wala Town, Korangi, SP Shahnawaz Chachar said.
Speaking of relief and rescue efforts, the SP said that he had arrived at the spot immediately after the incident happened along with four crane machines, which removed debris and rescued around seven to eight persons.
Rangers and rescue services were also rushed to the spot and an operation had been launched. Army’s engineering corps also arrived and took part in the rescue operation. The residents said that basement of the building was filled with water that had accumulated after the recent heavy rains, which might have weakened its structure.
The SP revealed that following the recent rains, that had caused flooding in the city, the building’s condition had deteriorated, prompting authorities to ask residents to evacuate. About 40 to 50 people were living in that building, he said, adding that most of the residents had vacated the building two days ago. At the time of its collapse, two families were residing in the building.
SP Chachar further said that the building was constructed by a private contractor four years ago. He said that the cause behind the building’s collapse will be determined after an inquiry. Sindh Building Control Authority (SCBA) Korangi Director Asif Rizvi said the building was constructed illegally. “The building was constructed on China-cutting land,” he said, adding that it had no map or approval. This is the third such incident to have taken place in the metropolis this year. In June, a five-storey building collapsed in Karachi resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people.
