Rescue teams continued their efforts to recover victims from the rubble of a five-storey building that collapsed on Friday morning in the Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi, Pakistan. The residential block, home to approximately 100 residents across around 20 families, crumbled shortly after 10:00 am. As of Saturday morning, the death toll had risen to 14, including several women, with 13 others injured. Authorities warned that the search and recovery operation could take another eight to twelve hours.
Residents expressed their grief and helplessness as many families remain trapped under the debris. Shankar Kamho, a resident who was away at the time, recounted how his wife noticed cracks in the building and urged neighbors to evacuate before the collapse. Despite warnings, some residents believed the building was structurally sound. Maya Sham Jee and others shared their anguish over loved ones still missing, emphasizing the tragic impact on their families.
Senior police officer Arif Aziz confirmed that up to 100 people lived in the building, including six members of 70-year-old Jumho Maheshwari’s family, who were inside when the collapse occurred. The rescue operation, led by the government’s 1122 service, has been ongoing without interruption, as teams work tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies from the debris.
