The search and rescue operation in Lyari’s Bhagdadi area has concluded after nearly three days, an official announced on Sunday, with 27 fatalities resulting from the tragic building collapse.
“The rescue operation continued for 60 hours and is now complete,” Assistant Commissioner Shehryar Habib told reporters, vowing to initiate an operation against all structures in the area declared unsafe.
The five-story residential building had collapsed on Friday, prompting a large-scale rescue effort. The last rites for 20 victims have been performed, as authorities have pledged action against those responsible for the tragic incident.
This incident, while tragic, is not an isolated case, as Karachi has witnessed a recurring pattern of building collapses over recent years.
“Operations against all buildings declared unfit in Lyari will begin from tomorrow,” Habib announced. He also stated that three buildings surrounding the collapsed one have been declared dangerous.
“All three have now been evacuated and will be sealed,” he confirmed. According to the assistant commissioner, over 50 dangerous buildings have been identified across Karachi South.
“Residents evacuated from these structures are currently staying with relatives. Authorities are in the process of formulating a strategy to relocate residents of all unsafe buildings to safer accommodations.”
Twenty-six bodies—including nine women, 15 men, a ten-year-old boy, and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl—were recovered from the rubble, while another person succumbed to their wounds during treatment.
Aftermath of Tragedy: High-Level Probe and Karachi’s Unsafe Structures
The Sindh government has established a high-level committee to investigate the incident, tasked with submitting a report by Monday.
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) revealed that the collapsed structure, which housed over 40 people in 20 apartments, was 30 years old and had been previously marked unsafe.
The authority claimed it had issued formal evacuation notices two years ago, with the latest served on June 25, 2025. It also stated that notices were sent to K-Electric and the water board to disconnect utility services, but neither the connections were severed nor was the building vacated.
This incident underscores the existing threat posed by buildings already declared unsafe and unfit for habitation by the SBCA. In Karachi, the number of such buildings stands at 578, with 456 of them located solely in District South.
Other districts facing similar risks include: Central (66), Keamari (23), Korangi (14), East (13), Malir (4), and West (2).
CM Sindh Urges Caution in Property Purchases Amid Building Safety Concerns
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the Lyari building collapse, calling it a heartbreaking incident. He told reporters that the government’s primary focus throughout the rescue efforts was to save lives.
Speaking to the media in Karachi, the chief minister confirmed that a committee has been formed to probe the incident. “We will review the reports in tomorrow’s meeting,” he added.
He also disclosed that the building evacuated last night in Agra Taj was constructed a few years ago without approval from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).
The chief minister urged citizens to verify whether a building has received all necessary approvals before purchasing flats.
He further stated that the government is exploring options for relocating residents of over 400 ‘dangerous’ buildings in the Old City Area to safer accommodations.
Evacuation Challenges: Another Building Declared Unsafe in Lyari
Even as the aftermath of Friday’s building collapse lingered, another multi-story complex in the same neighborhood was declared “unsafe”, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders on Sunday.
In Agra Taj, police and authorities initially encountered resistance from residents, who outright refused to evacuate the building “under any circumstances.”
“Where were the institutions when the building was being constructed?” residents questioned, demanding the provision of alternative accommodation before being asked to vacate.
“We are living in this building, and we do not feel any danger,” said one of the residents.
In response, the district administration assured that the affected residents would be duly compensated by the builder.
“We have offered to shift the affected residents to a school,” the District South deputy commissioner stated, while urging them to vacate the dilapidated building.
Noting that they had contacted the relevant builder, the official assured that appropriate action would be taken against him, and he would reimburse the residents.
In an effort to persuade residents to vacate the structure, authorities also demolished the water tank on the roof.
According to the police, a case has been registered against the builder at Kalri Police Station, which also names the contractor, based on the complaint of the SBCA’s assistant director.
Kharadar Heritage Building Demolition Attempt Foiled, Suspects Arrested
Separately, an attempt to demolish a heritage department building near the Coal Warehouse in the Kharadar area was foiled, reportedly carried out by members of the land mafia, according to police officials.
The suspects allegedly tried to conduct the demolition using heavy machinery during a public holiday, taking advantage of the absence of law enforcement personnel.
Residents strongly resisted the demolition attempt, raising concerns over the safety of neighboring structures. Locals reported that the use of heavy machinery caused vibrations in the adjacent building, a claim later confirmed by police officials, who attributed the shaking to the demolition activity.
Responding to calls from the community, police arrived at the scene and arrested two suspects. Authorities also seized the machinery used in the operation. However, some individuals involved managed to flee the scene, police added.
The arrested suspects have been transferred to the police station for further investigation. Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Lyari also arrived at the site to oversee the situation alongside police teams.
