A tragic incident unfolded in Karachi’s Lyari area on Friday as a five-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi neighbourhood, leaving at least five people dead and six injured, according to rescue officials. Authorities fear that more individuals may still be trapped under the debris.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams racing against time to locate survivors. Initial reports confirmed that five people, including three women, were pulled from the rubble with injuries shortly after the collapse. All injured victims were taken to the Trauma Centre at Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital, where one is said to be in critical condition, while others sustained minor injuries.
Surrounding Area Evacuated
Deputy Commissioner South confirmed that adjacent buildings are being evacuated as a precautionary measure to prevent further casualties in case of structural instability. A large crowd had gathered near the site, prompting police to disperse onlookers with baton charges to ensure rescue teams could operate unhindered.
CM Sindh Orders Immediate Action
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took immediate notice of the incident and directed that injured victims receive urgent medical attention. He also ordered the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a detailed report on all unsafe and decaying structures in Karachi.
“Negligence will not be tolerated. Public safety is our foremost priority,” Shah said, urging swift action to identify and secure dangerous buildings across the city.
Inquiry Launched
Sindh Minister for Local Government, Saeed Ghani, has called for an immediate investigation into the collapse. A high-level inquiry committee has been formed to determine the cause of the collapse and identify officials responsible for negligence.
The committee, announced by Zubair Memon, media consultant to the minister, has been given three days to submit its findings. Ghani has also ordered the suspension of relevant SBCA officials pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Senior Officials at Site
Senior police and administrative officials, including SSP City Arif Aziz and Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi, are supervising the rescue efforts on-site. SSP Aziz confirmed that five bodies had been recovered from the rubble so far.
Authorities remain on high alert as heavy machinery and additional rescue teams are deployed to the site. The incident has once again raised serious questions about building safety regulations and enforcement in Karachi, particularly in older and densely populated neighbourhoods like Lyari.
