Karachi – At least 14 people, including three women and one child, lost their lives when a five-storey building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari on Friday morning.
The tragic incident caused the building to completely crumble to the ground. So far, 16 deaths have been confirmed, and 9 others have been injured. Authorities fear that 25 to 30 people may still be trapped under the rubble.
Rescue officials stated that emergency operations were launched immediately after receiving the report of the collapse. The rescue operation is ongoing to retrieve those feared trapped under the debris.
However, disruption in mobile network signals is hampering rescue efforts.
According to rescue teams, six families were residing in the building. Heavy machinery is being used to remove the debris. Two adjoining buildings—one seven-storey and one two-storey—have also been evacuated as a precaution.
Each floor of the collapsed building reportedly had three residential portions. The structure had been declared hazardous three years ago, but neither the residents vacated it nor did the authorities take action.
The rescue officials have disconnected electricity and gas supplies to the affected building.
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said that the rescue operation may take up to 24 hours to complete. He urged the residents of unsafe buildings to relocate voluntarily, stating that no one could be forcibly evicted. He added that a meeting would be held with the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) regarding illegal constructions.
Additionally, South Karachi Deputy Commissioner Javed Khoso said that notices had been issued to the residents of the affected building in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
He revealed that a survey team has identified 107 dangerous buildings in the area, of which 21 are classified as extremely hazardous. So far, 14 of these have been evacuated. He cautioned that assigning blame for the Lyari incident at this stage would be premature.
Race against Time: 9 dead in Karachi Building Collapse as Rescue Ops underway
