Building Collapse in Karachi Claims Lives

Rescue efforts continue amid rising temperatures, as families mourn loved ones trapped in rubble.

The death toll has risen to 21 following the collapse of a residential building in Karachi, Pakistan. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly for two days, searching for any remaining survivors who may still be trapped.

Ongoing Rescue Operations

According to senior district government official Javed Nabi Khoso, the death toll has reached 21. Rescue operations are still underway, though it remains uncertain whether additional people are trapped within the debris.

Complicating rescue efforts are the narrow streets surrounding the building, which hinder the deployment of heavy machinery. The collapsed structure was located in Lyari, a historically impoverished neighborhood.

The tragedy has left families devastated. Dev Raj, 54, awaits news of his daughter. “She was my beloved daughter. She was so sensitive but is under the burden of debris. She got married just six months ago,” he said.

As recovery efforts continued, temperatures climbed to 33 degrees Celsius. Earlier reports indicated that at least eight individuals were believed to be trapped.

Conflicting Accounts of Eviction Notices

Authorities stated that the collapsed building had been declared unsafe, and eviction notices were issued to residents over three years ago. However, landlords and some residents claim they never received such notices.

Mr. Khoso stated that notices had been served in 2022, 2023, and 2024. “We don’t want to impose our orders by force. We work in phases and send them notices to leave the building. They didn’t take the notices seriously,” he told AFP.

However, Imran Khaskheli, an owner and resident, denied receiving any notices.

A residential building collapsed in Karachi, Pakistan, killing at least 11 people. Rescue operations are underway, but officials fear more people are trapped under the rubble.

Building collapses are common in Pakistan because of poorly enforced construction standards. pic.twitter.com/zBlHQx7jXy

— AJ+ (@ajplus) May 14, 2024

Mr. Khaskheli stated he noticed cracks on Friday and alerted residents. “I knocked on all the doors and asked families to leave immediately,” he said, noting about 40 families lived there, but many ignored his warning.

Stories of Loss and Survival

Many victims are believed to be women, who are more likely to be at home during the day. All six members of Jumho Maheshwari‘s family were in their first-floor apartment when he left for work. “Nothing is left for me now. My family is all trapped and all I can do is pray for their safe recovery,” the 70-year-old said.

Shankar Kamho, 30, was away when his wife warned neighbors, but one woman said, “this building will stand for at least 10 more years.”

Reportedly, over 50 buildings in the district have been declared unsafe, and six have been evacuated since yesterday, according to Mr. Khoso. Construction standards have been a concern as weak enforcement can lead to cutting corners, creating unsafe structures. According to a 2023 report, Pakistan faces a housing backlog of approximately 12 million units, exacerbating the challenges of providing safe and affordable housing (Global Village Space).

Building collapses are unfortunately common in Pakistan, often attributed to poorly enforced construction standards. Substandard materials and ignored safety regulations contribute to these tragedies. A similar incident occurred in June 2020, when an apartment building collapsed in Karachi, resulting in 22 fatalities.