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At least seven people were killed and several others injured when a six-storey residential building collapsed in Karachi’s Lyari area on Friday, according to rescue officials.
The building, located in the Baghdadi neighborhood of Lyari, crumbled suddenly, trapping dozens beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene shortly after the collapse was reported. So far, five people – including three women – have been rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Authorities fear that 20 to 25 people are still trapped under the debris.
Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency response units, including Edhi, Chhipa, and the city’s fire and rescue departments, have launched a large-scale operation.
Chhipa Welfare spokesperson confirmed that seven bodies have been recovered, and several people are believed to be buried under the debris.
Rescue workers are using cranes and heavy machinery to sift through the rubble. The adjacent building has also suffered structural damage, prompting concerns of further collapse and necessitating a full evacuation of the surrounding area.
Evacuation Notice issued ahead of building collapse: SBCA
Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Ishaq Khuhro, stated that the collapsed structure was over 50 years old and in poor condition. He said the building likely predates 1979 and was declared dangerous long ago by the SBCA.
A technical inspection and demolition team from SBCA reached the site shortly after the incident. Khuhro revealed that authorities are now verifying if the building was listed among the 526 structures previously identified as dangerous in Karachi.
SBCA officials added that unsafe buildings are routinely surveyed and listed through public advertisements urging residents to evacuate. However, residents of Baghdadi claimed they had never received formal notices instructing them to vacate the building, as reported by media.
578 Unsafe Buildings in Karachi
According to the SBCA, 578 unsafe buildings have been identified across Karachi, with the highest concentration located in District South. Of those, around 50 are in Lyari alone. Officials said several notices and enforcement actions were previously taken regarding the collapsed building, but compliance was lacking.
SBCA has already conducted structural surveys in Karachi and Hyderabad, leading to the evacuation of various high-risk buildings in Lyari. DG Ishaq Khuhro said only the technical team can definitively determine the cause of the collapse, but decades-old wear and structural neglect were likely contributors.
Officials react to Karachi building collapse
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic collapse of a residential building in Karachi. He offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The PM directed the development of a comprehensive strategy on a priority basis to prevent similar accidents in the future. He directed authorities to accelerate rescue operations and ensure no effort is spared in locating survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
The Prime Minister also instructed health officials to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. “Every effort must be made to assist the victims and their families in this hour of need,” he said.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed deep concern over the tragic incident and ordered that all available resources be deployed for the rescue operation. He directed that injured individuals be provided urgent medical care and that no negligence during relief efforts would be tolerated.
A spokesperson from the Sindh Local Government Department confirmed that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the collapse. The committee has been instructed to identify responsible or negligent officers within three days.
The Sindh Local Government Minister has also ordered the immediate suspension of relevant SBCA officials pending investigation.
