Karachi building collapse leaves 27 dead as rescue operation ends on 3rd day
Pakistan
Nine women and three children among the dead
11 injured discharged from hospital, one still under treatment
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz express grief over loss of lives
KARACHI (Dunya News) – The rescue operation following the collapse of a five-storey building in Karachi's Lyari area has been completed on the third day, with the death toll rising to 27.
The debris has been cleared from the site in the Baghdadi area of Lyari, where heavy machinery was employed to remove the rubble. According to rescue officials, 27 bodies were recovered from the collapsed structure. Of the 11 injured, 10 have been discharged from hospital after receiving medical treatment, while one remains under care.
The final victim retrieved from the wreckage was that of a young man named Zaid. Among the deceased are three children, nine wome, and 15 men.
The incident took place on Friday in the Baghdadi area of Lyari, bringing down the entire structure and causing damage to adjacent buildings. Rescue teams managed to pull out 10 people alive from the debris. Emergency response teams — including Rescue 1122, police, and Rangers — reached the scene promptly and launched relief efforts. Heavy machinery is being used to clear the rubble and aid search operations.
Among the bodies transferred to Civil Hospital were 55-year-old Hoor Bibi, 35-year-old Waseem, 21-year-old Prantik son of Harsey, and 28-year-old Prem son of unknown. Fatima, wife of Babu, succumbed to injuries, during treatment at Civil Hospital. The bodies of a 25-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man, and a 7-year-old child remain unidentified.
Meanwhile, the funeral rites for 20 victims belonging to the Hindu Maheshwari community were performed at the Edhi morgue in Moosa Lane. They were later buried at the Maheshwari cemetery in Baldi Mowachh Goth.
SINDH CHIEF MINISTER'S RESPONSE
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, commenting on the tragedy, described the incident as deeply saddening. He highlighted the challenges faced by authorities when asking residents to vacate unsafe buildings, stating that such requests are often met with resistance. he added that although life-detecting devices could have been used to locate people trapped under the rubble, the noise from heavy machinery and the presence of various departments made their usage impossible.
BUILDINGS DECLARED UNSAFE IN LYARI
The collapse also caused damaged to surrounding buildings, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby residents. The area remained cordoned off by the police. Approximately 50 rickshaws were were parked beneath the collapsed building were also crushed.
In the Agra Taj area of Lyari, cracks have appeared in another eight-storey residential building. Declared dangerous by the administration, it has since been evacuated and sealed. Electricity to the building has been disconnected and water tank dismantled.
Also read: A timeline of Karachi's major building collapses since 2020
Residents have staged protests, demanding alternative accommodation. The Deputy Commissioner for Karachi South stated that arrangements have been made to temporarily relocate affected families to local schools.
According to the local administration, 22 buildings in Lyari have been declared unsafe. Fourteen of these have already been evacuated, while efforts continue to vacate the remaining eight.
FIR REGISTERED AGAINST BUILDER
An FIR has been registered at the Kalri Police Station against the builder and the contractor involved in the construction. The case was filed on behalf of the Assistant Director of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). The collapsed structure had been constructed only two years ago.
PRESIDENT, PM EXPRESS GRIEF OVER LOSS OF LIVES
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic building collapse in Karachi. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the swift recovery and rehabilitation of the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the incident and directed that the rescue operation to retrieve those trapped under the debris be expedited. He instructed that all possible medical facilities be provided to the injured.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the need to formulate a strategy on a priority basis to prevent such accidents in the future.
