A tragic scene unfolded in Karachi densely populated Lyari area as a five-story residential building collapsed on Friday, claiming at least 27 lives and injuring dozens. After more than 60 hours of continuous rescue operations, authorities announced on Sunday evening that the mission had been completed.
The incident, which occurred in the Baghdadi neighbourhood, brought national attention to the condition of aging structures in Pakistan’s largest city. Eyewitnesses described a deafening roar followed by clouds of dust as the building crumbled to the ground, trapping residents under the debris.
Immediately after the collapse, emergency teams from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Pakistan Navy, Edhi Foundation, and Rangers launched a coordinated rescue effort. Heavy machinery, including cranes and excavators, was brought in to remove massive chunks of concrete.
Over the next three days, rescue workers toiled around the clock, often using their bare hands and small tools to avoid causing further harm to any trapped survivors. Sniffer dogs and thermal cameras were also used to detect signs of life beneath the rubble.
Despite their tireless efforts, most of the individuals pulled from the ruins were lifeless. The final death toll rose to 27, with one critically injured person succumbing to their injuries in the hospital on Sunday.
The now-collapsed building, constructed nearly three decades ago, had already been marked “dangerous and unfit for habitation” by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). As recently as June 2025, authorities had issued a final eviction notice urging the residents to vacate due to visible structural weaknesses.
However, according to local residents, many families refused to leave the building, citing financial constraints and lack of alternative housing. “We had nowhere else to go,” said one survivor, emotionally recounting how his family of six lived in a single room for years. “We thought the building would last a little longer.”
Approximately 12 families, with around 100 individuals in total, were believed to be living in the building at the time of collapse. Neighbours and nearby residents expressed anger and sorrow, claiming that repeated pleas to municipal authorities for emergency reinforcement or support fell on deaf ears.
Following the collapse, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. Officials from the SBCA, local police, and rescue agencies are being questioned about why timely evacuation was not enforced despite clear warnings.
The Chief Minister also announced compensation packages for the victims’ families:
PKR 1 million (approx. $3,600) for each deceased
PKR 500,000 for each injured person
Temporary shelters and food for displaced families
Additionally, the provincial government has directed authorities to survey over 50 other buildings in Karachi that are categorised as high-risk or structurally unstable. Immediate evacuation orders will be enforced in these cases, according to government statements.
The tragedy in Lyari is not an isolated incident. Karachi, a megacity with over 20 million residents, has long struggled with poor urban planning, unregulated construction, and decaying infrastructure. According to a 2023 report by the SBCA, over 600 buildings across the city are deemed dangerous, especially during the monsoon season when structural strain increases.
Experts say that without proper urban renewal policies, Karachi will continue to witness such disasters. “This is the result of decades of neglect,” said urban planner and civil engineer Saima Noor. “Not only do we need strict enforcement of building codes, but we also need a long-term resettlement plan for those living in hazardous structures.”
Civil society organisations are calling for criminal investigations into developers and officials responsible for allowing such buildings to remain occupied. Legal action may be taken if evidence emerges of negligence or corruption.
As the rescue operation concluded, grief and frustration lingered in the narrow alleys of Lyari. Funeral prayers were held for many of the victims, with tearful relatives expressing both sorrow and outrage.
Amid the rubble and ruins, survivors searched for belongings—photos, documents, and memories of lives built over decades, now lost in an instant. Volunteers and neighbours supported one another, offering food, water, and emotional solace to the grieving families.
One resident, whose wife and daughter perished in the collapse, summed up the tragedy:
“We didn’t just lose people; we lost our homes, our past, and our sense of safety.”
The Lyari building collapse stands as a painful reminder of the urgent need for proactive governance, responsible urban development, and better emergency preparedness. As Karachi mourns its dead, the hope remains that meaningful reforms will follow—before more lives are buried under crumbling concrete.
Reference: کراچی : عمارت گرنے کے بعد ریسکیو آپریشن تیسرے روز بھی مکمل نہ ہوسکا، جاں بحق افرادکی تعداد 27 ہوگئی