Karachi:
At least 16 people, including three women and a child, are confirmed dead after a five-story residential building collapsed in the Lyari neighborhood early Friday morning, authorities say.
Emergency helpers have saved nine wounded survivors so far, but officials fear that at least 25 to 30 more people are still buried during the waste.
The building, located in Lyaris Bagdadi area, housed six families and collapsed Friday. Rescue workers immediately arrived with the help of heavy machinery to sille through the rubble.
Officials say the building was declared uncertain three years ago, yet neither the residents evacuated and the authorities took any enforcement measures. Each floor of the building allegedly contained three apartments.
Two adjacent buildings-a two-story and a seven-story structure — is evacuated as a caution. Power and gas lines for the collapsed building have been cut to prevent further dangers.
Karachi -Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said the rescue operation can take up to 24 hours. He urged residents of uncertain buildings to move voluntarily.
“We can’t force people out of their homes,” he said, adding that a meeting with Sindh Building Control Authority has been called in to tackle illegal constructions.
Karachi South Deputy Commissioner Javed Khoso confirmed that the residents of the building were served messages in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Of 107 dangerous buildings in the district, 21 are classified as very dangerous, and 14 have already been vacated, he said, adding: “It would be tentative to assign to this step.
