Karachi building collapse leaves 7 dead, rescue operations underway

Karachi: A five-storey building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari on Friday morning, resulting in the confirmed deaths of seven people so far. The building completely caved in, leaving several others injured.

Rescue Operations and Challenges

Rescue officials stated that emergency operations began immediately after the incident was reported. It is feared that more people are still trapped under the rubble. Efforts to retrieve them are ongoing, though rescue work is being hampered by mobile signal outages.

Karachi Mayor’s Visit

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site and confirmed that seven people had died, while eight individuals had been pulled from the debris. He stated that between 24 and 25 people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble.

The rescue teams added that the building housed six families. Efforts to recover more people from the wreckage continue with the help of heavy machinery, which arrived late due to road blockages. Adjacent buildings—a two-storey and a seven-storey structure—have been evacuated as a precaution. Electricity and gas lines to the collapsed building have also been disconnected.

Locals reportedly began rescue efforts on their own before official teams arrived.

Building Declared Unsafe, Say Authorities

According to sources in the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), the collapsed building was 30 years old and structurally weak. The authorities had declared it dangerous. However, local residents claim they were never issued any formal notice.

SBCA also disclosed that there are 578 hazardous buildings in Karachi, with the highest concentration in the South District.

Chief Minister Sindh Takes Notice

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and ordered an immediate report. He also directed SBCA to provide a list of all dilapidated buildings across the province. “Identification of dangerous buildings must be prioritized. Negligence will not be tolerated. Protecting human lives is our top priority,” he stated.

Sindh Governor also expressed concern over the incident and instructed authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.

High-Level Inquiry Committee Formed

A spokesperson for the Local Government Department announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The committee will submit a report within three days, identifying any officials found guilty of negligence.

The Local Government Minister has ordered the suspension of relevant SBCA officials.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Deputy Commissioner said an investigation is underway to determine why no warning notice was issued to residents of the unsafe building.

Condolences from National Leaders

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over the tragic incident and instructed the Sindh government to speed up rescue and relief efforts.