12 perish in Karachi building collapse

KARACHI:

At least 11 people died and several others sustained injuries, when a dilapidated five-storey residential building collapsed in the Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi on Friday morning, police and witnesses said, with rescuers searching through the rubble for trapped victims.

The incident happened in Lyari's Baghdadi, near the Lea Market, just before 11am. Witnesses said that the building, which had already been declared as "dangerous" by the authorities concerned, turned into a pile of rubble within minutes, creating scenes of panic and chaos in the area.

Nearby residents rushed to save their neighbours before rescuers took over to remove the rubble along with at least five excavators. The heavy machinery struggled to access the narrow alleys, while the police baton-charged bystanders to clear the way.

Officials confirmed that the tragedy claimed lives of at least 11 people, including women and children, while many others were injured. The victims were shifted to the Civil Hospital by Chhipa and Edhi volunteers, who also participated in the rescue operations alongside the Rescue 1122 personnel.

Rescue teams, equipped with five disaster response vehicles, two snorkels, and several ambulances, were reached the site soon after distress calls. Cranes and lifters were also sent. According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, more than 100 personnel took part in the operation.

Heart-rending scenes unfolded at the scene as families of those trapped under the debris cried out for their loved-ones. Bystanders tried to console distraught relatives, while others watched in stunned silence. The area was soon cordoned off by police and Rangers to facilitate rescue efforts.

The deceased included Prantik, 21; Hoor Bibi, 55; Wasim, 35; and Prem, 28. A girl Fatima, who was critically injured in the tragedy, died during treatment, Civil Hospital Trauma Centre Director Dr Sabir Memon told The Express Tribune.

Medics also said that three unidentified bodies, of approximately, 30, 25 and 7 years of age were in the hospital. Dr Sabir Memon said that seven injured were currently undergoing treatment at the Trauma Centre.

Local residents told The Express Tribune that the building had long shown signs of structural instability, with concrete pieces and broken bricks frequently falling off the structure. Officials had declared the building unsafe and advised occupants to evacuate. However, several families remained reluctant.

All six family members of 70-year-old Jumho Maheshwari were at his flat on the first floor when he left for work early in the morning. "Nothing is left for me now—my family is all trapped and all I can do is pray for their safe recovery," he told AFP.

Another resident, Maya Sham Jee, said her brother's family was also trapped under the rubble. "It's a tragedy for us. The world has been changed for our family," she told AFP. "We are helpless and just looking at the rescue workers to bring our loved ones back safely."

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Arif Aziz said that up to 100 people had been living in the building. Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso confirmed that the building housed around 20 apartments. Saad Edhi, of the Edhi Foundation described it as a "worn-out building".

"Preliminary estimates suggest that 30 to 35 people were inside at the time," Deputy Commissioner Khoso said, adding that officials were using thermal imaging technology to detect anyone still trapped beneath the debris.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan described the structure as a "ground-plus-five-storey building in a hazardous state". Khoso told reporters on the spot that cracks had begun to appear in the structure shortly before the collapse, triggering some residents to flee.

Shankar Kamho, 30, a resident of the building, who was out at the time, said around 20 families were inside. "I got a call from my wife saying the building was cracking and I told her to get out immediately," he told AFP. "She took our daughter and left. About 20 minutes later, the building collapsed."

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident, calling it "extremely unfortunate," and directed the relevant authorities to submit a detailed report. Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani and Deputy Commissioner Khoso also visited the site to monitor the rescue operations.

"The building was declared unsafe, but residents did not vacate. Unfortunately, forced evacuations become a humanitarian dilemma, as they render people homeless," Ghani told reporters. The minister acknowledged negligence on the part of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic building collapse and offered heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the family members of those who lost their lives.

The president directed the Sindh government to expedite the rescue of the individuals trapped under the debris. He also directed for immediate determination of the causes of the incident and the implementation of effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also instructed that the rescue operation must be accelerated to save those trapped under the debris. "Such incidents must be prevented in the future by formulating a strategy on a priority basis," the prime minister added.

(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)