Pakistan- The death toll in the collapse of a residential Pakistan building in Lyari, Karachi, has tragically climbed to 21, as rescue teams continued their search for survivors into Saturday evening, local authorities confirmed. The disaster has shocked the city, underscoring long‑standing concerns about unsafe buildings and inadequate enforcement of structural regulations.
Officials have confirmed that the now‑collapsed Pakistan building had been formally declared unsafe over the past three years. Eviction notices were reportedly issued in 2022, 2023, and again in 2024. Yet, according to Karachi’s senior district official Javed Nabi Khoso, residents repeatedly disregarded these warnings. “We don’t want to impose our orders by force,” Khoso explained. “We work in phases and send them notices to leave the building. They didn’t take the notices seriously.”
Despite official statements, some landlords and occupants have told AFP that they never received any eviction notice. Among them was building owner and resident Imran Khaskheli, who denied ever being informed by authorities. Khaskheli said he personally witnessed cracks forming in the pillars early Friday and even went door‑to‑door to warn neighboring families. “Do you think we are out of our senses to stay in an unsafe building with our families?” he asked. Still, many tenants reportedly ignored his warnings.
Residents in the densely populated Lyari district, an impoverished neighborhood once ravaged by gang violence, reported hearing ominous cracking noises shortly before the Pakistan building crumbled at approximately 10:00 am on Friday. Within minutes, the multi‑story block collapsed, trapping dozens of families beneath tons of concrete and steel.
Helicopters, emergency responders, local volunteers, and distraught relatives raced to the site, frantically digging through the rubble in hopes of finding survivors. By Saturday afternoon, eight individuals were still believed to be trapped underground as temperatures soared to nearly 33 °C, complicating rescue efforts.
Devastating scenes unfolded as distraught families learned of the fate of their loved ones. Fifty‑four‑year‑old Dev Raj tearfully told AFP, “My daughter is under the rubble.” His daughter, described as sensitive and caring, had only been married for six months. Raj’s grief is shared by many others whose lives have been upended.
Seventy‑year‑old Jumho Maheshwari was at work when the collapse occurred. He later discovered that all six members of his immediate family were in their first‑floor apartment. “Nothing is left for me now – my family is all trapped and all I can do is pray for their safe recovery,” he pleaded on Friday.
Similarly, another resident, Maya Sham Jee, recounted the anguish of losing her brother’s family in the catastrophe: “It’s a tragedy for us. The world has been changed for our family. We are helpless and just looking at the rescue workers to bring our loved ones back safely.”
Pakistan- one story of narrow escape came from Shankar Kamho, whose wife narrowly avoided disaster thanks to quick thinking. Shankar was away when his wife called, alerting him to strange cracking noises. “I told her to get out immediately,” he said. She then went on to warn the neighbors, but one woman dismissed her, saying, “This building will stand for at least 10 more years.” His wife ignored that reassurance, taking their daughter out minutes before the structure collapsed.
Dozens of Unsafe Pakistan Buildings in Lyari
The collapse has triggered a wider crackdown across Lyari. Khoso stated that more than 50 buildings in the district had previously been declared unsafe, and six of them have been evacuated since Friday. Inspectors are working to assess structural integrity across the area, seeking to prevent further disasters.
However, critics argue that enforcement has been lax. Many landlords resist evacuations due to rental income loss, while tenants often fear mass displacement—especially in impoverished neighborhoods where affordable housing is scarce. The dual factors of economic pressure and weak building codes create a brewing crisis.
This tragic collapse highlights several alarming issues:
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Poor enforcement: Even when buildings are declared unsafe, eviction notices may go unserved or unenforced.
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Neglect from authorities: Residents claim they were not informed, raising questions about the efficiency of municipal communication systems.
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Vulnerable populations: Low‑income communities like Lyari bear the brunt of weak infrastructure oversight.
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Urgency for inspection: With dozens of buildings already deemed unsafe, authorities must act swiftly to assess risks.
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Public awareness: Stories like Shankar Kamho’s showcase the importance of heeding early warning signs such as cracks or unusual sounds.
In the wake of this disaster, Karachi’s government faces mounting pressure to take meaningful action. Several critical steps are urgently needed:
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Stringent enforcement of evacuation orders and immediate relocation assistance for tenants.
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Regular structural inspections, especially in vulnerable districts, with public disclosure of condemnation notices.
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Tenant awareness campaigns and community outreach to educate residents about the dangers of compromised buildings.
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Support for displaced families, including temporary housing and financial aid, to ease the burden of relocation.
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Accountability for landlords who neglect safety standards—ensuring repair and maintenance obligations are enforced.
The collapse of this Pakistan building in Lyari is a somber reminder of the perils of neglected infrastructure and inadequate enforcement. With a death in Pakistan toll that now stands at 21 and others still missing, the human cost is profound. Families grieve lost loved ones, while others count themselves lucky to have escaped in time.
Pakistan- As investigators continue to search through rubble and officials scramble to secure other unsafe buildings, the broader question lingers: Will meaningful reforms follow this tragedy? With lives at stake, Karachi’s municipal authorities must prioritize safety over convenience—before more Pakistan buildings collapse under the weight of inaction.
Source- EWN
