KARACHI: Two women were killed, and three others injured, including two sisters, when the roof of a fifth-floor apartment in a building in Lyari’s Khadda Market collapsed. The collapse also caused the ceiling of the fourth floor to cave in.
The victims were identified as Hurmat and Hameeda, the wife and sister of the building’s owner, Rafiq, while his daughters, 12-year-old Jaweria and 15-year-old Hira, were injured. Following the collapse, panic ensued in the neighborhood, with residents rushing to the site to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams, police, Rangers, and local officials, including Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani and Deputy Commissioner South, arrived at the scene. Volunteers recovered the bodies of the deceased and rescued the injured, who were then shifted to Civil Hospital. The building was sealed after the incident.
Initial reports suggest that the collapse occurred during repair work being carried out on the fifth floor by a man named Yousuf. The roof failure led to structural damage on the fourth floor. SDPO Baghdadi Irshad Gabol confirmed that laborers were working when the incident occurred. Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso stated that an investigation is underway, with the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) tasked with inspecting the site.
The collapse occurred while shuttering work was being done on the upper floor, with debris falling into the fourth-floor TV lounge, trapping the women and children. As a precaution, 22 people were evacuated from a nearby dilapidated building. Previously, 27 people had died in a similar collapse in the city.
KMC’s Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Humayun Khan, emphasized the danger posed by old, unsafe structures in Lyari. He urged residents to conduct their own inspections and take necessary repairs to avoid further tragedies. He also encouraged residents to report hazardous buildings to the authorities.
Saeed Ghani admitted the government’s failure to prevent illegal construction, citing limitations in SBCA laws. He stated that legal amendments are being prepared to criminalize those involved in constructing and selling illegal buildings. Ghani highlighted the importance of addressing illegal construction to improve urban infrastructure, including essential services like water supply and sewerage systems.
Assistant Commissioner Keamari Subdivision Nadeem Aurangzeb revealed that 107 dangerous buildings exist in Lyari, with a committee collecting inspection data. A comprehensive policy will be developed based on the findings, and immediate arrangements are being made for displaced residents. Out of the 14 most dangerous buildings, nine have already been evacuated.
