KARACHI: A five-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari on Friday, killing at least five people and injuring seven others. Rescue operations are underway, with several individuals still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed that seven people lost their lives in the tragic incident. Rescue workers pulled out four bodies and six injured individuals from the debris, but one of the rescued — a 40-year-old woman — later succumbed to her injuries at Civil Hospital’s Trauma Centre.
According to the South Deputy Commissioner, six families were living in the building. Officials fear that 25 to 30 people were inside when the structure came down. Access roads were blocked, delaying the arrival of heavy machinery, and local residents initially began rescue efforts on their own.
Mobile phone signal suspensions further hampered communication and coordination efforts. Rescue teams, however, continue working through the night, despite these challenges. Two adjacent buildings — one seven-storey and another two-storey — were evacuated as a precaution.
SBCA Knew the Building Was Dangerous
According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), the building was over 30 years old and had already been declared structurally unsafe. Officials claim multiple notices were issued to residents, urging them to vacate the premises.
But residents strongly dispute this, saying no warnings were ever given. Locals also say the building remained fully occupied, with three portions on every floor. A relative of the building’s owner told Geo News that her family lived on the fourth floor, and that her son died in the collapse while three other family members remain missing.
The collapse has reignited scrutiny over Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure. The SBCA revealed that there are currently 578 buildings declared unsafe across the city — with District South housing the largest share. Mayor Wahab admitted that in the Old City area alone, 434 buildings are listed as hazardous.
He stressed that while these structures are dangerous, forcibly evacuating people is difficult due to housing shortages. Wahab also confirmed that all available machinery had been sent to Lyari and said action would be taken against responsible officials after the rescue phase concludes.
PM, Governor React as Officials Face Suspension
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, offered prayers for the deceased, and instructed that the injured be provided the best possible care. He also directed authorities to speed up rescue efforts and demanded a long-term strategy to prevent such disasters in future.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also voiced concern and ordered that all available resources be deployed in the rescue operation. He warned that any negligence would not be tolerated and demanded accountability from the concerned departments.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Local Government Department has formed a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The committee must identify negligent SBCA officers within three days.
Sindh’s Local Government Minister has already suspended several officials, pending the investigation’s outcome. As Karachi mourns yet another preventable disaster, questions about weak enforcement and housing safety continue to grow louder.
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