6 people killed, 8 injured and dozens trapped under rubble

KARACHI: Six people were killed and eight others were injured when a three-story building collapsed in Frontier Colony, Orangi Town, within the limits of the Pirabad police station on Wednesday.

The victims were identified as nine-year-old Savera, eight-year-old Komal, 25-year-old Nasira, 13-year-old Azra,  40-year-old Nasreen and her 15-year-old daughter, Sadaf.

The bodies were taken to the Edhi morgue while the injured were taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Rescuers said that dozens of people are still trapped underneath the rubble.

Officials from the police, Rangers, Edhi, Chippa, Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation and city government initiated the rescue operation with the help of residents.

Workers from the rescue department under EDO municipal services Masood Alam later took over the process. They removed the rubble and cut through walls with the help of proper equipment, including pliers, cutters and bulldozers, to find more survivors to the incident.

A large number of people gathered around the site despite Wednesday’s rain, creating problems for the rescue teams, after which the police and Rangers were asked to step in and take control of the situation.

The residential building was owned by a Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) employee named Babu Getsiwala.

It was originally a single-storey structure that was developed into a three-storey building over the last two years. According to the residents in the area, around six families lived in the building.

The material that was used in the construction of the building was substandard, which is why it collapsed in the rainfall, it was revealed during the rescue operations. Surrounding buildings were evacuated and its residents were asked to find temporary refuge elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah expressed his sorrow over the incident and directed the secretary of the local bodies to inquire into the collapse and identify the responsible factors.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan ordered an inquiry into the matter. He directed the authorities to take immediate steps to remove the trapped people and provide them with medical assistance. He also ordered an evacuation of people who live in decrepit buildings across the city.

Provincial labour minister Amir Nawab also visited the site.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AGENCIES

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2010.