5 injured, rescue efforts underway as building collapses in Karachi’s Lyari

At least five people were injured and efforts to rescue more were underway on Friday after a five-storey building collapsed in Karachi’s Lyari area, officials said.

“According to the reports so far, five people who were injured in the building collapse incident have been taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi,” said a statement by South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza.

The building was situated on Fida Hussain Shaikha Road in Lyari’s Baghdadi neighbourhood, according to a statement from the Baghdadi police.

Edhi rescue service said the five wounded included three women.

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Sindh’s Rescue 1122, in a statement, said its Urban Search and Rescue team, along with an ambulance and a disaster-response vehicle, was dispatched to the building’s location “right after it was alerted about the incident”.

The Baghdadi police’s statement also said police and rescue teams were immediately sent to the site as several people were reported to be trapped under the rubble.

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Today’s incident comes days after a portion of a building collapsed in the city’s Kharadar area. However, no casualties or injuries were reported.

In April, a 10-year-old girl died when a three-storey building in Bhains Colony suddenly collapsed, while a man and a woman were pulled alive from the debris.

Sindh CM seeks report

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed that rescue teams should immediately rescue those trapped under the rubble, while immediate medical assistance should be provided to the injured.

“This is an unfortunate incident; concerned authorities should submit an immediate report,” CM Murad was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesperson Abdul Rashid Channa.

The statement noted that the chief minister was informed that five wounded people have been rescued from the rubble and rescue operations were still ongoing.

CM Murad also sought details of dilapidated buildings in Karachi from the Sindh Building Control Authority.

“Dangerous buildings should be identified immediately and practical steps should be taken to protect citizens,” CM Murad said. “Negligence will not be tolerated; protection of human lives is top priority.”

More to follow