Death toll rises in building collapse in Pakistan

Kokche News Agency reports that Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso of South Karachi stated that the rescue operation at the collapsed building in Lyari has reached 70% completion. He clarified that heavy machinery is not being used currently; instead, rescue tools and equipment are being employed.

He mentioned that thermal cameras are helping search for trapped individuals. According to DC Khoso, it appears that many people may have rushed to exit the building and got trapped in internal pathways, which is why debris is being carefully removed from those areas to rescue them.

Four hours earlier, the death toll from the building collapse had risen to 16, with authorities confirming that bodies are still being recovered. The BBC’s Riyaz Sohail reported that rescue teams have recovered five bodies so far, and one child remains missing.

Personal Account:
Reports from eyewitnesses, such as Friday Khakhely, reveal the tragic families affected. He told BBC that he had been renting a two-room apartment on the first floor since 1978, where his two sons, wives, himself, and a grandson lived. He was out working when he learned of the collapse and rushed to the site, where his family was buried under the rubble.

Khakhely said, “Bodies are coming out since yesterday, and my world has been shattered.” He added that the bodies are in the mortuary and, once his son’s body is recovered, he plans to hold all their funeral prayers together.

It’s noteworthy that Karachi’s Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani have both stated that the building was structurally unsafe and residents had been issued notices to vacate. However, Khakhely claims he received no such notice and demands transparency: “If there was any notice, it should be made public.”

He also noted that the owner of the building and his son are living in the same building, raising questions about the building’s management and safety.