KARACHI, July 4 (Alliance News): A five-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari, Karachi on Sunday, trapping several people under the rubble.
At least six individuals, including three women, have been rescued with injuries — one of them reported in critical condition.
Following the incident, rescue teams, police, and Rangers swiftly reached the site to initiate emergency relief operations.
Heavy machinery was called in to assist in clearing the debris, although narrow streets in the old city area are hampering access. Local residents have also joined rescue efforts in large numbers.
The injured have been shifted to the Civil Hospital’s Trauma Center, where medical officials confirmed that five people sustained minor injuries, while one person is in a critical state.
Emergency has been declared at both Jinnah Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi.
Rescue officials fear that more people are still trapped under the debris. Eyewitnesses reported that the building was in a visibly deteriorated state, and several families were residing there at the time of the collapse.
The area, part of old Karachi, contains many similarly dilapidated structures.
Government Response and Inquiry Ordered
Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani directed rescue teams to expedite relief efforts and remove all obstacles to aid operations.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori also expressed deep concern over the tragedy, instructing rescue agencies to conduct immediate, effective, and coordinated operations.
He ordered that all available resources be deployed to safely recover the victims and provide full support to affected families.
He warned that any form of negligence or carelessness would not be tolerated.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, taking notice of the incident, termed it “deeply saddening” and demanded an urgent report from concerned departments.
He has directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a list of all dangerous buildings in the city and ordered immediate action to prevent similar tragedies.
He emphasized that no form of negligence will be accepted in ensuring public safety.
