KARACHI: Grief swept through Lyari’s Baghdadi area as funeral prayers for 20 of the 27 victims of Friday’s tragic building collapse were offered late Saturday night. Among the dead were nine women, 15 men, a ten-year-old boy, and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl.
Rescuers recovered 26 bodies from the debris, while three injured victims were taken to local hospitals. One of them succumbed to his injuries, pushing the death toll to 27, hospital officials confirmed.
All the recovered bodies have been laid to rest in Mowach Goth Maheshwari graveyard, Baldia, according to a spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation. Despite the somber burials, the search continues as at least three individuals are feared to be trapped under the rubble.
Heavy machinery and heartbeat-detection devices — known as Trapped Person Locators — have been deployed to speed up rescue operations. As of Sunday, officials reported that 80% of the debris had been cleared.
SBCA Under Fire as Collapse Linked to Ignored Evacuation Notices
The collapsed building, home to over 40 residents across 20 apartments, was reportedly more than 30 years old. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) said it had labeled the structure unsafe and issued evacuation notices as far back as two years ago. The most recent notice was sent on June 25, 2025.
However, the warnings were not acted upon. Despite notifying K-Electric and the Karachi Water Board to disconnect utilities, neither service was suspended, and the building remained occupied.
The SBCA has faced mounting criticism for its failure to enforce safety regulations. This tragedy is part of a disturbing trend: since 2017, Karachi has seen numerous deadly collapses, largely involving illegal or dilapidated buildings.
Currently, 578 buildings across the city have been declared dangerous. A majority — 456 — are located in District South, while others pose risks in Central (66), Keamari (23), Korangi (14), East (13), Malir (4), and West (2).
CM Murad Ali Shah Orders Probe, Urges Caution Before Buying Flats
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed sorrow over the Lyari tragedy and pledged a thorough investigation. “It’s a heartbreaking incident,” he told reporters during a press briefing in Karachi.
He confirmed that a high-level committee had been formed to probe the collapse and will submit its findings by Monday. The CM also revealed that another unsafe building in Agra Taj had been evacuated the night before — it had no SBCA approval despite being recently constructed.
Shah urged citizens to verify a building’s legal status before purchasing property. He also hinted at a larger plan to relocate residents from over 400 other dangerous buildings in Karachi’s Old City area.
Adding a surprising twist, rescue workers reported recovering a large sum of money — twice — during the operation. The cash has been handed over to the concerned parties. Additionally, 50 rickshaws were buried under the rubble.
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