Rescue Efforts Continue After Karachi Building Collapse Kills 14

KARACHI: Rescue workers are still searching for survivors after a five-storey residential building collapsed in Lyari’s Baghdadi area on Friday. So far, 14 people have been confirmed dead, including five women and eight men, while three injured individuals are being treated at a hospital. Officials estimate that six to seven people may still be trapped under the rubble.

The collapsed building was over 30 years old and located in a crowded neighborhood, housing more than 40 people in 20 apartments. Rescue teams are using heavy machinery and special heartbeat detectors to locate trapped victims. Although the operation is slow, officials say it may take several more hours to complete as the debris is carefully cleared.

The situation at the site became tense as relatives of the victims tried to help but ended up interfering with rescue efforts. Security personnel had to cordon off the area to manage the crowd. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi visited the scene and urged residents of nearby damaged buildings to evacuate for safety, saying the government will meet with the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to address illegal construction issues.

According to SBCA, the building had already been marked unsafe and evacuation notices were issued two years ago. However, the residents stayed, and utility services were not cut. Experts say Karachi has hundreds of unsafe buildings still occupied due to poor enforcement. They are calling for immediate evacuation and alternative housing to prevent further tragedies.