At least 10 people were killed when a five-storey building collapsed in the Lea Market area of Lyari in Karachi on Friday. Officials fear more people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, known as Gada Palace, had been declared unsafe due to its deteriorating condition and the impact of recent rains.
According to Dawn, nine bodies and eight injured victims were taken to Civil Hospital. Among the dead were three women.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Fatima Babu (55), Prem (32), Waseem Babu (35), Hoor Bai Kishan (55), Prantic Arsi (21), Sunita Daya (35), Daya Lal (40), Wanda Kelash (13), Arshna Vishal (24), and Kishan Daya Lal (72).
The injured included Yusuf Subhan (50), Rashid Aziz (25), Chanda Lal (30), Sanita Chaitan (30), Kishna Das (17), Mujeeb Ali (29), Roshan Islam (32), and a three-month-old baby. Most suffered crush injuries to their head and chest.
Rescue operations continued late into the night, with efforts hampered by narrow lanes that made it difficult to bring in heavy machinery. Cellular network shutdowns during Muharram processions delayed the alert and response. Police were also busy clearing crowds to allow rescue teams to operate.
According to Rescue 1122, two pillars of the building collapsed around 4am, prompting residents to evacuate. However, they returned later, and the structure fully collapsed between 9 and 9:30am.
An estimated 100 people were living in the building. Rescue officials believe 20 to 25 people could still be trapped under the debris.
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had declared the building dangerous in 2022 and issued multiple eviction notices in June 2023, February 2024, and again in June 2024. A final loudspeaker warning was made on June 29, along with utility disconnection orders that were not carried out. SBCA reported that residents refused to leave without being provided alternative housing.
Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has formed a committee to investigate the incident and suspended SBCA officials. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered a full report and directed the evacuation of other dangerous buildings across Karachi.