A tragic incident happened in Karachi, Pakistan, where a six-storey residential building collapsed in the Lyari area on Friday morning around 10 AM. So far, 16 people have died and 13 others are injured, according to local authorities. Rescue teams are still working hard in extreme heat and humidity to search for survivors, and at least 8 people are believed to be trapped under the debris.
The building was located in Baghdadi, Lyari, a crowded and poor neighborhood. Some residents said they heard cracking sounds just before the building fell.
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Families Devastated
The collapse has left many families heartbroken.
- Dev Raj, 54, said his daughter is still missing under the rubble. She had been married just six months ago.
- Jumho Maheshwari said his entire family of six is trapped. “Nothing is left for me now,” he said.
- Maya Sham Jee, whose brother’s family is still missing, said they are helpless and hoping rescue teams can save them.
Warnings Ignored, Blame Game Begins
Officials said the building was already declared unsafe and that eviction notices were sent in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
- Javed Nabi Khoso, a senior government officer, said, “We work in phases and send them notices to leave, but they didn’t take it seriously.”
- The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) said the building was on their danger list and repeated warnings were issued.
However, residents disagreed, saying they never received any official notice.
- Imran Khaskheli, a building owner, asked, “Do you think we are out of our senses to live in a dangerous building with our families?”
- He said he noticed cracks Friday morning and warned others to evacuate, but not everyone listened.
Narrow Escape for Some
Some families managed to escape just in time.
- Shankar Kamho said his wife called him after seeing cracks. He told her to leave immediately. His wife and daughter left the building just 20 minutes before it collapsed.
- His wife even tried warning neighbors, but some didn’t believe the danger. One woman reportedly said, “This building will last at least 10 more years.”
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City’s Structural Safety Concerns
This tragic event has raised concerns about building safety in Karachi.
- 578 buildings across the city are marked unsafe, with the highest number in District South.
- After Friday’s collapse, six more buildings were evacuated, and the building next to the collapsed one is also under inspection.
Conclusion
This heartbreaking incident shows the urgent need for better enforcement of building safety rules. While officials blame residents for not evacuating, locals claim they were not properly warned. As rescue efforts continue, families wait in hope, and the city faces questions about how many more such tragedies could be waiting to happen.
