Karachi:
A five-story structurally unstable building in the Baghdad colony, Lyari, collapsed more than 48 hours ago, leaving at least 27 people dead, officials said Sunday.
Dr. Sabir Memon, CEO of Benazir Bhutto Trauma Center, confirmed the death toll. A wounded person remains under treatment at the hospital.
According to Rescue 1122 officials, the deceased nine women, 15 men, a 10-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl identified as Muqaddas include. Another deceased was identified as Shoaib by family members. Many of the deceased belong to the Hindu society.
As more waste was cleared, more deceased was picked up under the rubble. Rescue teams, assisted by scanning equipment, continue to be efforts to find more survivors or deceased.
During the operation, cash, checks and jewelry were recovered from three separate locations and handed over to the chairman of the local union council.
The Edhi Foundation confirmed that the deceased has been transferred to Cold Storage Facility at Lyari Musa Lane.
South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khosa told Express Pakinomist This operation is performed with utmost care to avoid bringing someone who is caught alive. He noted that the densely populated area has made rescue work difficult. But the teams are equipped with advanced technology, he added.
Rescue workers have hired sniffer dogs and heavy machinery when searching the rubble. Residents volunteers along with the police help with the search operation.
Read: Most Lyari -Building Collapse victims belong to Hindu communities
Structural damage
Another seven-story residential building in Lyaris Agra Taj colony was evacuated late Saturday night after a joint operation of the District Administration, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and police.
The building was declared dangerous after signposting signs of structural inclination. Serious cracks had appeared in the structure after the recent monsoon -till form.
Read more: Hope fades when Lyari Building Collapse Toll hits 23
An inspection from SBCA engineers declared the building uninhabitable, which resulted in emergency wavering. The residents opposed first, but agreed to leave after successful negotiations.
According to the South Deputy Commissioner, the building housed 12 apartments with 57 inhabitants from 11 families.
The building is now sealed, its power supply has been disconnected and the water tank has been torn to prevent further danger.
‘Unsuitable to live’
Talking to Express NewsLyari Municipal Officer Hammad ND Khan said the Sindh government has decided to evacuate all dangerous buildings in Lyari.
He said a formal operation will be decided on Monday during a meeting that is chairman of the Sindh Chief Minister. It is expected that all dangerous buildings will be evacuated in phases and torn.
He added that the provincial government will develop a policy to provide alternative housing to the residents of these uncertain structures.
Events have been made for temporary accommodation in social centers and hotels for the victims of the collapsed and evacuated buildings, he said. However, most of the affected residents have chosen to stay with their relatives or on the spot, he said, adding that TMC Lyari provides food and other necessities to them.
According to Khan, the rescue operation is likely to end on Sunday. Litigation will be taken under the law against all those involved in illegal constructions in Lyari, he said.
An affected woman said the temporary shelter at a KMC school in Lyari was “unfit to live”.
Demanding accountability for endangered lives, affected residents have accused SBCA officials of accepting bribery, both during and after the construction of the building and ignoring clear violations.
After the evacuation, SBCA registered a case at Kalri Police Station against the developer and a named contractor.
FIR states that substandard materials and illegal design methods were used, which puts residents’ lives at serious risk and thereby required sealing of the building.
Deputy Commissioner said that if any government officials are found to be an accomplice in the construction of the building, litigation will also be taken against them. He added that residents will be supported to recover their financial losses from the developer.
