KARACHI:
A 50-hour-long search and rescue operation in the Baghdadi area of Lyari — where a five-storey residential building collapsed on Friday morning — concluded on Sunday, with 27 confirmed deaths and 10 injuries.
“Twenty-seven people lost their lives in the Lyari tragedy, while eleven others were injured. Among the deceased are eleven women and sixteen men, including a one-and-a-half-year-old girl,” confirmed the Civil Hospital administration.
The report states that 26 bodies were brought to the hospital, while 55-year-old Fatima succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
“Of the injured, ten people were discharged after receiving medical treatment. However, 30-year-old Sanatia remains under treatment,” it stated.
The list further noted that most of the injured sustained head injuries in the incident. Many of the deceased belong to the Hindu community.
According to rescue officials, the final body was recovered — after 48 hours of digging through debris — was that of 15-year-old Muhammad Zaid, found trapped near the building’s staircase. His body was moved to Civil Hospital for legal formalities.
Zaid’s elder brother, who survived the collapse, told reporters he had tried to pull his younger sibling out of the building when the structure began to crack but lost his grip during the escape. Tragically, Zaid, their father, and two other brothers died in the collapse.
According to Rescue 1122 officer Hasnain and Edhi Foundation volunteer Farooq, Zaid’s body was found at a location from which five other bodies had previously been taken out. However, his was buried too deep under the rubble to be immediately detected. After renewed efforts by family members, search teams returned to the location and recovered Zaid’s body using specialised equipment.
During the operation, cash, cheques and jewellery were recovered from three separate locations and handed over to the local union council chairperson.
Rescue 1122 South In-Charge Hameer Wahid told Express News that 95% of the debris had been cleared, and no further victims were believed to be trapped.
“No families remain at the site waiting for missing persons,” he said.
He further added that rescue operations were deliberately prolonged to ensure careful recovery of bodies.
Several rickshaws and motorcycles parked beneath the building were also destroyed. Locals said the area underneath the structure was routinely used for parking.
Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Humayun Khan said the narrow streets of Lyari — like in Liaquatabad and Gulbahar — posed significant challenges for rescue operations. He added that crowds and excess ambulances hindered efforts, but modern rescue equipment was employed, and operations would be declared officially complete within an hour.
He also noted that Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab had earlier commissioned a survey of multi-storey buildings across the city. According to fire officials, 266 buildings on I.I. Chundrigar Road and Shahrah-e-Faisal were inspected, 190 of which were deemed unsafe. Concerns were also raised about buildings in older neighbourhoods such as Lyari.
According to Rescue 1122 in-charge Roshan Ali, the operation had been running for two days and all available information was thoroughly followed up.
“As per the list provided by the families, all bodies have been recovered, and there are no reports of anyone else being trapped. The operation is nearly complete — some debris still remains, which will be cleared to fully conclude the operation. An additional two hours are required to complete the process,” he added.
Read: Most Lyari building collapse victims belong to Hindu community
Structural damage
Another seven-storey residential building in Lyari’s Agra Taj Colony was evacuated late Saturday night after a joint operation by the district administration, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the police.
The building was declared dangerous after signs of structural leaning were identified. Severe cracks had appeared in the structure after the recent monsoon spell.
Read more: Hope fades as Lyari building collapse toll hits 23
An inspection by SBCA engineers declared the building uninhabitable, prompting emergency evacuation. The residents resisted at first but agreed to leave after successful negotiations.
According to South Deputy Commissioner, the building housed 12 flats with 57 residents from 11 families.
The building has now been sealed, its power supply has been disconnected and the water tank has been demolished to prevent further danger.
‘Unfit for living’
Speaking to Express News, Lyari Municipal Officer Hammad ND Khan said that the Sindh government has decided to evacuate all hazardous buildings in Lyari.
He said that a formal operation will be decided on Monday during a meeting chaired by the Sindh chief minister. It is expected that all dangerous buildings will be evacuated in phases and demolished.
He added that the provincial government will develop a policy to provide alternative housing for the residents of these unsafe structures.
Arrangements for temporary accommodation have been made in community centres and hotels for the victims of the collapsed and evacuated buildings, he said. However, most of the affected residents have chosen to stay with their relatives or on-site, he said, adding that TMC Lyari is providing food and other necessities for them.
One affected woman said the temporary shelter at a KMC school in Lyari was “unfit for living”.
Demanding accountability for endangered lives, affected residents have accused SBCA officials of accepting bribes, both during and after the building’s construction, and ignoring clear violations.
After the evacuation, SBCA registered a case at Kalri Police Station against the builder and an unnamed contractor.
The FIR states that substandard materials and illegal construction methods were used, putting residents’ lives at serious risk, thereby necessitating the sealing of the building.
The deputy commissioner said that if any government officials are found complicit in the building’s construction, legal action will also be taken against them. He added that residents will be supported in recovering their financial losses from the builder.
