Govt to relocate residents of derelict buildings: Ghani

Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has announced the government's plans to evacuate residents from the dilapidated buildings of the metropolis, even if it renders them temporarily homeless.

While addressing an emergency press conference on Friday evening, following the collapse of a residential building in Lyari, Ghani revealed that 588 buildings across Karachi have been declared hazardous — 456 of them located in District South, including 107 in Lyari Quarters alone. Many of these structures, mostly in the old city areas, have been illegally constructed or have deteriorated over time.

Ghani confirmed that the collapsed building had been declared "extremely dangerous" and had received several evacuation notices over the past two years - the first issued in June 2023, followed by others in 2024 and 2025.

Despite repeated attempts, including notices and on-ground efforts by the administration, residents refused to vacate, often confronting officials with resistance and even physical altercations. The structure was first surveyed and deemed unsafe in October 2022.

As of the latest reports, nine people were killed and nine others injured in the collapse. Rescue operations are ongoing, with round-the-clock efforts being supported by lights and generators. Officials fear more people may still be trapped under the rubble.

The Sindh government has suspended key officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) in District South, including the director, deputy director, and building inspectors.

Families devastated in Lyari building collapse

Several residents of the collapsed building in Lyari's Baghdadi area belonged to the same extended family. Standing before the rubble, Maya Shamji recounted the chilling moment she learned of the tragedy. Her brother, Arshi, called her at around 10:30am from work to say the building was shaking and urged her to come quickly. By the time she arrived, the structure had already collapsed.

Amid the debris, a wounded woman handed her Arshi's three-month-old granddaughter-covered in dust but miraculously unharmed. Moments later, the body of Arshi's son, Kantik, was recovered from the rubble.

According to Shamji, Arshi's flat was located on the fourth floor. At the time of the collapse, his wife Mek Bai, sons Rohit and Mehul, and two daughters-in-law were all inside. "Several members of our extended family lived in that building," she added.

Outside the disaster site, anxious faces watched helplessly, hoping their loved ones would be pulled out alive. One such person, Jumma, said he had left for work around 7am, while the rest of his family remained inside the flat. Among them were his wife Sani, sons Kailash and Vishal, two daughters-in-law, and a granddaughter, Nanu. Search efforts for them are still ongoing.

The family of Krishan Daya also resided in the building. His wife, Purbai Krishan, son Prem Krishan, and grandson Ayush Krishan were all inside when the structure gave way. The bodies of the mother and son have been recovered.

Another family, consisting of Dayalal, his wife Sunita, and his brother Chetan, were also among the residents.