All 22 people trapped in Kharadar building collapse rescued

Roof collapse blamed on excessive load from recently installed water tank, said a resident

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A six-story residential building partially collapsed early Monday morning, near the Barra Imam bargah in Karachi’s Kharadar area, trapping at least 22 people, rescue officials said.

The incident occurred around 7:30 am when a portion of the building’s roof collapsed onto the staircase, blocking all exits and leaving residents stranded on the upper floors.

Initial reports suggest that the collapse extended from the roof down to the fourth floor. 

Read: Civic infrastructure caves in to single rain spell

All 22 people have been rescued. No casualties have been reported.

Emergency response teams from Edhi Foundation, Chhipa Welfare, and local police rushed to the scene requesting backup from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) fire department and Rescue 1122

The KMC fire department and urban search and rescue teams were mobilised, deploying a snorkel to pluck those trapped on the upper floors to safety. 

However, narrow lanes and a tangle of overhead electrical, internet, and cable wires significantly hampered rescue efforts. The operation was completed in just over 2.5 hours.

Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khoso, who visited the site, confirmed to the Express News that the building was 15 to 20 years old and had received multiple renovation notices from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) due to its precarious condition. He stated that legal action is being initiated against the builder, and the premises have been sealed. 

“A structural failure caused by the collapse of the roof slab brought down parts of the building's interior, including the staircase, which trapped the residents inside,” Khoso explained. 

Fire Officer Zafar Khan described the operation as "extremely difficult" due to the large crowds, confined spaces, and the urgency of rescuing panicked residents. "Among those trapped were women, children, and the elderly. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to ensure everyone's safety," he said. Sixteen individuals were rescued via snorkel. He added that rescuing people from the building was difficult, as all the flats were occupied by families. 

A resident of the building recounted that he heard a strange noise at 5:30 am, but initially saw nothing out of the ordinary. However, when he later entered his flat, the roof had collapsed from the water tank down to the lower floors.

The resident attributed the collapse to the weight of a newly installed water tank on the roof, where some construction work had recently been completed, and painting was still pending.

According to the Edhi Foundation spokesperson, Edhi ambulances and volunteers reached the scene and rescued nine people, including four women. 

Last week, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) identified 740 dangerously dilapidated buildings across the province - 588 of which are in Karachi - as uninhabitable due to the looming threat of structural collapse during the monsoon season.

The SBCA issued fresh evacuation notices to residents, warning that these century-old structures are at high risk of partial or complete collapse in heavy rains.

However, many occupants have refused to vacate, citing the buildings' prime locations in city centres, which provide easy access to essential services.

The SBCA made a final appeal to residents, stressing that continued occupancy of these buildings poses a severe threat to life and property.

The authority had assured that it is coordinating with rescue services and relevant departments to handle any emergencies promptly.