Residential Building Collapse in Karachi’s Lyari Neighborhood
A residential block crumbled shortly after 10:00 am on Friday in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood. Lyari, once known for gang violence, has now witnessed a tragic incident of a building collapse. Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh, leading the government’s 1122 rescue service, mentioned that the operation continued through the night without any breaks.
Death Toll and Rescue Efforts
The death toll on Saturday morning stood at 14, with half of them being women and 13 others injured. Summiaya Syed, a police official at a Karachi hospital where the bodies were received, provided this information. It was reported that about 100 people were residing in the building.
Family Members Trapped
A senior police officer, Arif Aziz, stated that all six members of a 70-year-old man, Jumho Maheshwari’s family, were in their flat on the first floor when the incident occurred. Jumho Maheshwari expressed his anguish saying, “Nothing is left for me now. All I can do is pray for their safe recovery.” Another resident, Maya Sham Jee, shared that her brother’s family was also trapped under the rubble, calling it a tragedy.
Shankar Kamho, a 30-year-old resident who was not in the building during the collapse, mentioned that around 20 families resided there. He recounted how his wife alerted him about the building cracking and how she managed to escape with their daughter before the collapse.
The rescue workers are tirelessly working to bring the trapped individuals to safety, while families await news of their loved ones.
