Karachi:
At least 16 people, including three women and one child, confirmed dead after a five -story residential building collapsed in the Lyari district early Friday morning, according to the authorities.
Until now, emergency workers have saved nine injured survivors, but officials fear that at least 25 to 30 more people can still be buried under the debris.
The building, located in the Lyari Baghdadi region, housed six families and collapsed on Friday. The rescuers arrived quickly, using heavy machines to browse the rubble.
Officials claim that the building was declared dangerous three years ago, but the residents have evacuated and the authorities have not taken any application. Each floor of the building contained three apartments.
Two adjacent buildings – a two -story structure and seven floors – have been evacuated as a precaution. Electricity and gas pipes to the collapsed building have been reduced to avoid other dangers.
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said the rescue operation can take up to 24 hours. He urged residents from dangerous buildings to move voluntarily.
“We cannot force people to leave their homes,” he said, adding that a meeting with the Sindh Building Control Authority has been called to combat illegal constructions.
Karachi South assistant commissioner, Javed Khoso, confirmed that building residents received opinions in 2022, 2023 and 2024. From 107 dangerous buildings in the district, 21 are classified as very dangerous, and 14 have already been canceled, he said, adding: “It would be premature to blame this stage.”
