Karachi:
Two blocks of a complex of residential apartments in Gulistan-E-Jauhar, block 10, partially sank in the ground early Tuesday morning, leaving about 300 residents homeless and forced to live under the open sky. The preliminary results attributed the deeply painful incident to a possible soil erosion caused by a neighboring drain.
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) sealed the C and D blocks of the affected building, known as Yasir Terrace, declaring them dangerous to live. Residents were prohibited from entering the apartments to recover the essential effects, despite generalized calls.
I visited residents – including women, children and the elderly – are camped in the open air in the premises of the residential complex, without any official support or relief of the government. No temporary shelters, food or medical help has been provided so far, although an organization of social protection, the Al-Khidmat Foundation, was intervened to provide clean water and food to affected families.
Said Qazi Akbar, a building resident, expressed anxiety about the situation. “We do not end up with anything. The authorities have sealed our houses and do not even let us collect essential objects. It is raining and we are sitting under the sky – where are we supposed to go? He said to the Express PK Press Club.
According to the first accounts, the incident occurred around 5:30 am Tuesday when a strong explosion surprised Yasir Terrace residents. Panicked residents rushed out of their apartments, fearing an earthquake. Shortly after, the ground floor of C and D blocks started to flow, causing visible cracks and structural damage. The broken windows and parts of the buildings were completed under pressure.
“Residents have complained about gas leaks for days. It is still too early to confirm whether the collapse was due to an explosion of gas or the weakening of the foundation caused by the adjacent drain,” said Muhammad Ashfaq, member of the Union Committee of Phase 2 of Yasir Terrace.
After the incident, rescue 1122, police and local officials responded quickly. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) sealed the two buildings after a technical inspection, the police guaranteeing the site. Deputy Commissioner Syed Aamir confirmed that the rapid water flow has probably weakened the foundations. Residents can only recover personal effects after formal clearance.
Although blocks A and B seem stable, an additional inspection is necessary. More than 70 neighboring houses have been evacuated due to continuous precipitation and damage caused by visible land. A neighboring road has also been compromised.
The displaced families urge the government of the Sindh and SBCA to provide a temporary shelter.
