The British High Commissioner Jane Marriott expressed deep sadness in the face of the collapse of a five-story residential building in Lyari, Karachi, who cost the lives of at least 27 people and injured 10 others.
In a message published on X, Marriott said that she was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Lyari after the collapse of a residential building” and expressed condolences to affected families.
She also praised “brave rescuers who work tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions”.
Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Lyari after the collapse of a residential building. My thoughts concern families and brave rescuers who have worked tirelessly in the most difficult conditions.
– Jane Marriott (@janmarriottuk) July 6, 2025
The tragedy occurred on July 4 in the Baghdadi region in Lyari when the dilapidated building is suddenly descended. The first police reports suggest that up to 100 residents lived there at the time – many women and several from the Hindu community.
The senior police official, Arif Aziz, told AFP that the collapse of the building was suddenly and attributed to structural weaknesses. Meanwhile, the head of the government of the Javed Nabi Khoso district revealed that the authorities had issued expulsion opinions in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
“We do not want to impose our orders by force. We work in phases and send them opinions … They did not take opinions seriously,” he said.
Learn more: The collapse of the Lyari building in Karachi claims 27 lives while the rescue operation ends
However, Imran Khaskheli – an owner and a resident observing rescue efforts – has rejected the complaint. “Do you think we are out of our senses to stay in a dangerous building with our families?” questioned.
In the aftermath of the collapse, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) recorded a case at the Kalri police station against the manufacturer and an anonymous entrepreneur. The FIR relieves the use of lower quality materials and illegal construction practices, endangering the lives of residents and requiring the sealing of the building.
The South Commissioner announced that if government representatives are deemed accomplices, legal proceedings would follow. He also supported victims to recover the manufacturer’s financial losses.
The authorities have identified more than 50 Lyari buildings as structurally dangerous, with six already evacuated since the incident, according to Khoso. The tragedy has again highlighted the long -standing concerns concerning illegal construction and the application of the lax law in the disadvantaged districts of the city.
