KARACHI: Rescue operations at the site of a collapsed residential building in Karachi’s Lyari area have officially concluded after more than 50 hours, with authorities confirming that 27 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Police officials said that the bodies of all the 27 victims were transported to Civil Hospital Karachi by Edhi Ambulance. The families of the victims have also identified them, they added.
A one-year-old infant, a 10-year-old child, a 13-year-old child, nine women, and 15 men were among the dead.
Rescue teams and machinery have vacated the site following an announcement by the authorities that “debris removal is now 100 per cent complete”.
However, law enforcement remains deployed at the scene, with police restricting access to residents and unauthorised individuals to ensure safety.
FIR registered against builder
Following the Lyari tragedy, the Sindh government has launched strict action against builders of crumbly buildings and “illegal construction mafia.”
An FIR has been lodged against the builder and contractor responsible for the construction of a delegated building in Agra Taj colony area of Lyari.
The poorly-constructed building is on the verge of collapse. It was vacated Sunday on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who revealed that this structure had been erected a few years ago without the required authorization from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).
The case, filed by the SBCA at Kalri Police Station, includes sections related to endangering lives.
According to police, the SBCA had issued multiple evacuation notices between April 22 and July 6.
Orders to vacate 112 unsafe buildings
Over 400 buildings in old city areas of Karachi have been declared dangerous, and at the risk of collapsing, CM Murad informed media.
He said that the immediate priority, for now , is to save those still trapped, and confirmed that the rescue operation would be completed by the end of the day.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member of National Assembly (MNA) from Lyari, Nabil Gabol, has called for an aggressive operation to vacate 122 identified unsafe buildings across Karachi.
“We need a large-scale operation to relocate people from dangerous structures. The affected will be given alternative shelter and compensation,” he said.
Gabol stressed that public cooperation is essential. “We cannot forcefully evacuate people without community support. Officials who approved illegal constructions must face action, not just notices,” he said, urging citizens to avoid buying or selling property in unauthorised structures.
The Sindh chief minister has also advised citizens to verify the legal approvals of buildings before purchasing property, urging caution. He assured that efforts are underway to review alternative accommodation options for the residents of more than 400 dangerous buildings in the Old City area.
CM Sindh summons meeting
CM Murad has summoned a high-level meeting to review the Lyari tragedy, said General Secretary of PPP Karachi Javed Nagori.
He confirmed the death toll and criticised political parties for “using the area for optics without delivering services.”
Nagori said the provincial government is arranging aid for displaced residents and vowed to evacuate all remaining hazardous buildings in the city. “Serving the people is different from playing politics.”