The search for survivors continued for a second straight day as rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night in the wake of Friday’s deadly building collapse in Lyari’s Baghdadi area.
So far, 18 bodies — including seven women, 10 men, and a child — have been pulled from the rubble, while authorities estimate that 10 to 12 people may still be trapped beneath the debris.
The tragic collapse of the decades-old five-storey residential building has once again highlighted the Karachi building safety crisis, which experts have warned about for years. Housing over 40 residents across 20 apartments, the building crumbled on Friday, unleashing scenes of panic and heartbreak in the densely populated neighborhood.
Despite more than 20 hours of continuous efforts, rescue officials say the operation could take up to 10 more hours to complete. Equipped with Trapped Person Locators, a device that detects heartbeats beneath rubble, teams are carefully clearing debris layer by layer, balancing urgency with caution.
District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Khoso confirmed that the building had been declared dangerous three years ago. Notices were issued as recently as a month and a half ago, warning residents to vacate. Yet, the structure remained occupied. “There are still 22 dangerously unsafe buildings in Lyari — 16 have been evacuated, and we are working on the rest. Legal action will be taken against those who ignore evacuation orders,” Khoso warned.
Survivors described the terrifying moments before the collapse. Yousuf, a resident of the fourth floor, said: “The building shook twice before crashing down. I was taking my aunt down the stairs when it happened.”
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, visiting the site, urged residents of nearby unsafe buildings to relocate immediately but admitted, “We cannot forcefully evict anyone.” He promised to meet with the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to address the illegal construction crisis.
The SBCA claims it had not only declared the building unsafe two years ago but also formally asked K-Electric and the Water Board on June 25, 2025, to disconnect utility services — a move that might have encouraged evacuation. However, the utilities were never cut, and residents stayed put.
The incident has intensified criticism of Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure and the weak enforcement of safety regulations. According to the SBCA, 578 unsafe buildings exist across the city, with 456 in District South alone. Other districts also face risks: Central (66), Keamari (23), Korangi (14), East (13), Malir (4), and West (2).
Hassan Bakshi of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has urged the Sindh government to take control of dilapidated buildings and arrange temporary housing for affected residents. “The government should rebuild these structures and provide rent assistance to residents for up to two years,” he suggested.
Experts warn that unless serious action is taken, the Karachi building safety crisis will only worsen, endangering thousands of lives. They stress that evacuation notices alone are meaningless without government-backed relocation plans and strict enforcement.
