Karachi: At least five people have been confirmed dead and six others injured after a five-story residential building collapsed in Karachi today, with fears that more victims remain trapped under the rubble. The incident occurred in the Lyari area of the city.
According to police sources, five bodies and six injured individuals have been successfully retrieved from the debris. Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel are at the site and actively engaged in ongoing rescue operations.
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in the tragedy and extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. He has also directed concerned authorities to expedite rescue efforts and ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to those wounded in the collapse.
Initial reports suggest that up to 100 people may have been residing in the building at the time of the collapse, which occurred around 10:10 AM local time. Rescue teams, including the Edhi Foundation, are leading the search for survivors. Officials from the Edhi Foundation indicated that an estimated 8 to 10 more people could still be trapped, describing the structure as “worn-out.”
Building and roof collapses are a recurring issue in Pakistan, often attributed to poor construction standards, the use of shoddy materials, and lax enforcement of building regulations. Karachi, a densely populated megacity, is particularly susceptible due to widespread illegal construction, overcrowding, and inadequate oversight of building rules. Authorities have indicated that the collapsed building in Lyari’s Baghdadi area was over 30 years old and had reportedly been declared dangerous long ago, with notices issued to residents to vacate – a claim disputed by some residents. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the collapse and identify any negligence.
