Karachi: Death toll rises to 17 in Lyari building collapse

Karachi: 17 people, including 7 women and a child, were killed when a 5-storey building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of ​​Lyari.

According to the details, a tragic incident occurred in the Baghdadi area of ​​Lyari on Friday morning, as a result of which the building completely collapsed.

So far, 14 people, including 3 women and a child, have died in the accident, and 9 have been injured. It is feared that about 25 to 30 people are buried under the rubble.

Rescue officials say that rescue operations were started as soon as the information about the building collapse was received. There are fears that more people are buried under the rubble of the building, and rescue operations are underway to extract them.

However, rescue activities are facing difficulties due to the shutdown of the mobile signal.

Rescue officials say that 6 families were living in the building. Heavy machinery continues to remove the debris, while the 2 and 7-storey buildings attached to the collapsed building have also been evacuated.

Three portions were made on each floor of the collapsed building. This building was declared unsafe three years ago, but neither the residents nor the administration took action.

Rescue officials have cut the electricity and gas lines of the affected building.

Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi said that the rescue operations may take 24 hours to complete. Residents of unsafe buildings should move to another place themselves; no one can be forcibly evicted from their homes. I will hold a meeting with SBCA on illegal constructions.

Apart from this, Deputy Commissioner South Karachi Javed Khoso said that notices were given to the residents of the affected building in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

He stated that a team has been formed. Out of 107, 21 are more dangerous buildings. Out of these 21 buildings, 14 have been evacuated. It is premature to immediately hold anyone responsible for the Lyari incident.