KARACHI – A desperate race against time is underway in Pakistan’s largest city Karachi, where a residential building collapsed earlier today, killing at least nine people and injuring several others. Authorities fear more victims remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams, aided by heavy machinery and local volunteers, have been working around the clock to locate survivors in the debris-strewn street in the city’s southern district. Narrow lanes and dense surroundings have hampered access, slowing the movement of cranes and excavation equipment.
Eyewitnesses called it terrifying scene as the building crumbled with a thunderous crash, shaking nearby structures and sending dust and debris across the area. Many residents were asleep at the time, which officials say may have contributed to the high number of casualties.
Several adjacent buildings have been evacuated due to fears of structural instability, while emergency responders work cautiously amid the risk of further collapse.
Building failures are a recurring tragedy in Pakistan, often caused by poor construction practices, weak regulation enforcement, and the use of substandard materials. In 2020, Karachi witnessed a similar disaster when an apartment building collapse claimed 22 lives.
Authorities have launched an investigation into Friday’s incident, aiming to determine the cause of the collapse and whether negligence played a role.
As daylight fades, rescue teams continue their grim task, holding on to hope that more survivors can still be pulled from the wreckage.
