The death toll from the collapse of a five-storey residential building in Karachi’s Lyari area has risen to eight, with several others injured. The incident, which occurred on Friday in the Baghdadi area, prompted a large-scale rescue operation as officials feared more people could still be trapped under the rubble.
Rescue teams from Edhi Foundation, Chhipa, and Rescue 1122 arrived at the scene after an emergency call at 10:53 am. Five people, including three women, were rescued alive with injuries, while the bodies of one woman and three men were recovered from the debris. Hospital authorities later confirmed that one of the critically injured had passed away at the Trauma Centre of Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi. The remaining injured are being treated for minor wounds.
As the collapse drew a large crowd, police were forced to use a baton charge to control onlookers and secure the area. More than 100 personnel, supported by disaster response vehicles, ambulances, and cranes, are working to clear the debris.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took immediate action, directing that the injured receive urgent medical care and ordering the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a list of unsafe buildings in the city. He emphasized the need for swift action to prevent further accidents, stressing that negligence would not be tolerated.
In response to the incident, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani ordered an investigation into the collapse. A committee has been set up, led by media consultant Zubair Memon, to identify the cause of the collapse and hold those responsible accountable. The committee is expected to report its findings within three days, and in the meantime, relevant SBCA officials have been suspended.
Authorities, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Arif Aziz and Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi, confirmed that the search operations are ongoing. Buildings near the collapse site are being evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Sindh’s Minister for Rehabilitation, Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, tasked Dr Abid Jalaluddin Sheikh, Acting Director General of Rescue 1122, with overseeing the rescue efforts. Rescue 1122 confirmed full coordination with all relevant departments, including the deployment of heavy machinery for debris removal.
The tragic collapse has raised serious concerns about building safety in Karachi, particularly in the crowded and historically under-regulated area of Lyari. Efforts to prevent such incidents in the future will be a key focus of the investigation and response.
