Death toll in Karachi building collapse rises to 16, search continues for survivors

 KARACHI: The death toll in the Lyari building collapse rose to 16 on Saturday as more bodies have been recovered under the debris, rescue officials confirmed.

Karachi building collapse

The recovery operation continued for a second day. The devastating incident occurred as a six-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari, Karachi.

The rescue officials reported that nine individuals, including five women, have been rescued in injured condition and are being treated.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that around 20 people are believed to be trapped under the debris, with rescue operations currently underway to save those still buried.

During a rescue operation, 19 individuals were rescued from the rubble, as confirmed by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

Tragically, nine people died—eight on the spot and one at the hospital, according to the mayor. Of the survivors, six were discharged after receiving medical treatment, while three injured individuals remain under care at the SMBB Trauma Centre.

The mayor said that the rescue operation is still ongoing as teams work to ensure no one else is left trapped.

Chhipa Welfare spokesperson earlier said that seven people have lost their lives and at least 20 to 25 people were trapped under the rubble.

Karachi commissioner holds citizens responsible 

Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, who visited the site after the lapse of 13 hours, said that  the primary responsibility for the recent tragedy lies with those residing in unsafe buildings.

He said that the Sindh Building Control Authority had previously issued notices regarding the collapsed structure.

He urged residents to prioritize the safety of themselves and their families, emphasizing that forcibly evicting people from their homes is an undesirable task, and the administration has no intention of doing so.

According to rescue authorities, an adjacent building has also sustained structural damage as a result of the collapse.

SBCA

According to the SBCA, the building which collapsed in Lyari’s Baghdadi area had been declared dangerous long ago.

SBCA officials said that the structure had been marked unsafe, and multiple enforcement actions had been taken. Officials said that several notices were issued instructing residents to vacate the premises.

Residents of the area, however, claimed that no such notices were given by the administration.

The SBCA stated that 578 unsafe buildings exist in the city, with the highest number located in District South.

Sindh governor expresses concern 

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed concern over the incident, stressing that all available resources must be utilised for rescue operations.

He directed that injured persons be provided immediate medical assistance and all necessary facilities, adding that any form of negligence or carelessness would not be tolerated.

Committee formed

Meanwhile, a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the collapse of the building in Lyari, a spokesperson for the Sindh Local Government Department said.

According to the spokesperson, the committee has been tasked with identifying negligent officers within three days.

Meanwhile, Sindh Local Government Minister has ordered the immediate suspension of relevant officials from the SBCA.

Four days ago, a six-storey residential building in the Kharadar area experienced a partial collapse when the roof of an inter-building corridor gave way. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

The incident occurred when the rooftop water tank collapsed, damaging the staircases and corridor that connected various floors of the building. As a result, several residents were trapped on the third, fourth, and fifth floors.

Rescue officials responded promptly, evacuating the stranded individuals using snorkels and cranes. Authorities confirmed that the building’s structure was compromised due to the force of the falling tank and subsequent structural strain.

Condemnations

Condemnations started pouring in following the incident, with top leadership expressing deep regret over the loss of precious lives.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed regret over the loss of lives and directed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government to accelerate relief activities.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, conveying heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious lives and extending his sympathies to the families of those who perished in the incident.

“I share the grief of the bereaved families in this moment of sorrow,” he said, offering prayers for the deceased and patience for their loved ones. Sadiq also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed rescue teams to complete relief operations without delay.

He further said that the injured must be provided with the best possible medical care and offered prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased and strength for their families to bear the loss.

Separately, Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Munim Zafar visited the spot of the incident and strongly condemned the tragic incident.

karachi building collapse

Speaking to the media, he said that protecting human lives must be the top priority, asking the Sindh government to take immediate action against those responsible.

He claimed that all such illegal constructions are taking place under the SBCA’s patronage. “It is deeply concerning and unacceptable that five-storey buildings are being constructed on just 60-square-yard plots,” he said.

Zafar further said that over 100,000 buildings have been constructed in Karachi over the past five years without proper approval. “It was the SBCA’s responsibility to ensure such buildings were vacated in time,” he added.

“The SBCA has become a hub of corruption, and Karachi is turning into a jungle of concrete,” he added.