KARACHI: A multi-storey building collapses in Lyari Karachi’s on Friday, leaving at least three people dead and several others injured, according to initial reports from local rescue services.
The incident took place in the Baghdadi neighbourhood of Lyari, where a five-storey building came down suddenly, trapping residents under piles of concrete and debris. Police and emergency rescue teams rushed to the site soon after receiving distress calls from locals who witnessed the collapse.
Rescue officials confirmed that three people have so far lost their lives, while five others were pulled out alive and shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Authorities fear that more residents may still be trapped beneath the rubble as search and rescue operations continue into the night.
A spokesperson for Chhipa Welfare Association stated that teams equipped with cranes and excavators are working alongside local volunteers to clear debris and locate survivors. The adjacent buildings have also been evacuated as a precaution after reports of structural cracks caused by the collapse.
Witnesses in the area said they heard a loud rumble before the building crumbled within seconds, leaving residents with little time to escape. Families gathered outside the site, anxiously waiting for updates about their loved ones.
Just days earlier, another six-storey building in Karachi’s Kharadar area partially collapsed due to a water tank failure, damaging staircases and corridors but fortunately resulting in no fatalities. Officials are now raising concerns about the condition of aging residential structures in densely populated areas like Lyari and Kharadar.
Building safety inspectors have been called to the site to determine the cause of the collapse and check the stability of surrounding structures to prevent further tragedy. Police have sealed off the area and have urged onlookers to stay away to avoid hampering rescue work.
Authorities have once again stressed the importance of regular safety inspections and timely repairs in older residential buildings, especially those with visible structural weaknesses. Karachi’s urban settlements, particularly in older neighbourhoods like Lyari, face constant challenges related to building safety, overcrowding, and poor maintenance.
Residents are urged to report any visible cracks, leaks, or signs of instability to local authorities to help prevent similar disasters in the future. Meanwhile, the rescue operation remains underway, with teams working tirelessly to ensure that those trapped are brought out safely.
More updates are expected as officials continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected families.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: PDMA Warns of Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm on 9th and 10th Muharram in Punjab
