Death toll from building collapse rises to four
Rescue teams work to find those trapped in the rubble after a residential building collapsed in Allahwala Town. At least one teenager was killed, while rescue efforts continue. PHOTO: INP
The bodies of two minors and a woman were excavated from the debris of the collapsed building in Korangi's Allahwala Town late on Thursday night, raising the number of confirmed casualties to four.
According to rescue workers, the deceased were identified as Aisha, wife of Traffic Police Head Constable Zulfiqar, and their children, Sana, 11, and nine-year-old Arsalan. Earlier the same day, the body of a teenager Waqas, 15, was recovered from the rubble. At least seven persons are injured while the rescue operation continues.
The police and Rangers have cordoned off the site. According to police, heavy machinery is being deployed including hydrolic cutters to cut iron rods.
Meanwhile, a technical team comprising construction experts and engineers has visited the site on the directives of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Director-General Ashkar Dawar. According to the initial report, the building was constructed illegally on a 160 square yard plot. This was allegedly done by combining two plots of 80 square yards each using China cutting. As of now, the reason behind the collapse is said to be substandard construction and accumulated sewerage water around the building.
Other buildings nearby were also stated at risk after external inspection by SBCA.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2020.