KARACHI: A multi-storey residential building collapsed in Karachi’s historic Lyari area on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people, including three women and a child and injuries to eight others.
The rescue teams are continuing efforts to pull survivors with fears that 20 to 25 more individuals may still be trapped under the rubble. Rescue operations will continue through the night amid severe challenges.
According to the spokesperson for Rescue 1122, the death toll in the Lyari building collapse rose to 13 when two more bodies — one of a man and another of a woman — were retrieved from the rubble. Five women were among the deceased.
The incident took place near Al-Naveed Hotel within the jurisdiction of Baghdadi Police Station on Friday morning. The collapse also affected a nearby seven-storey building, causing its staircase to fall, while an adjacent two-storey structure was partially damaged.
Heavy machinery was summoned but narrow streets and congested access points severely hindered operations.
Police had to resort to baton charges to secure the area. Mobile network disruptions further hampered coordination among emergency agencies.
The collapsed structure housed around six families.
Zone South police chief DIG Asad Raza while talking to The News confirmed that nine people have so far lost their lives in the tragedy.
According to Rescue 1122, the deceased included 21-year old Purantik, son of Harsey, Hoor Bibi, 55, wife of Kishwar, Waseem, 35, son of Babu, Prem, 28, Fatima, wife of Babu, unknown woman, 25, unknown man, 30, unidentified child, aged 7 years and two more additional bodies were recovered later, bringing the total to nine.
All bodies were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi,
where the injured were also receiving medical treatment. Two of the injured were said to be in critical condition.
The stairs of the neighboring seven-storey building collapsed during the incident, trapping several people who were safely rescued. That building has now been evacuated, and nearby structures are under review due to partial damages.
Local residents claim the building was structurally weak and complaints had been made to authorities previously without action. Officials from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and civil administration were now investigating the cause of the collapse.
This incident comes just four days after another six-storey building’s roof collapsed in Kharadar, though no casualties were reported in that case.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso visited the site and oversaw the ongoing rescue operations. He announced that surrounding structures would be inspected for safety to prevent further incidents.
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic collapse of a building in Karachi. The president directed the Sindh government to expedite relief and rescue operations, urging authorities to ensure that all affected persons are immediately assisted and that those trapped under the debris are safely rescued. President Zardari also called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collaps. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident of the building collapse in Karachi. In a statement, the prime minister offered their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the family members of those who lost their lives, prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed to provide them all possible medical facilities.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident of a building collapse in Karachi, describing it as extremely distressing.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the tragic incident of a building collapse in the Lyari area of Karachi, terming it an extremely unfortunate and distressing event. He also ordered that the injured be provided with immediate medical assistance. The CM directed the Sindh Building Control Authority to submit an urgent report detailing all dilapidated and dangerous buildings across Karachi. He emphasised that swift identification of such structures must be carried out and practical measures implemented to ensure public safety.
Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and ordered immediate and coordinated rescue efforts. The governor warned that negligence or delay in such cases would not be tolerated.
