Death toll climbs to 17 from building collapse in Karachi

F.P. Report

KARACHI: The death toll from four-storey residential building collapse in Karachi’s Rizvia Society rose to 17 on Saturday as rescue workers, including Rangers and Pakistan Army, have been performing rescue activities.

It is feared that more bodies are beneath the debris. Meanwhile, 32 victims are being given medical treatment at various hospitals. SBCA officials have claimed “weak foundation” as the cause of the building’s collapse.

The building had initially been constructed as a four-storey complex, but the builder was constructing fifth floor in violation of construction rules due to which it caved in. Two houses adjacent to the building were also collapsed.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Sindh (CM) Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a report from the concerned authorities.

Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar directed Central Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Arif Aslam Rao to head the rescue operation in the area.

Moreover, a balcony of a building in Karachi’s Federal B area caved in, killing one man and injuring 10 others, including three children. The rescue officials, while reaching the spot, shifted the affectees to the hospital for treatment.

The latest incident of the building’s collapse in Karachi is the fourth within last two years. The government has declared more than 1,500 buildings “dangerous.”

In Dec. 2019, a six-storey dilapidated building located at the Old Haji Camp Timber Market in Karachi collapsed abruptly.

In Feb. 2019, a three-story residential building collapsed in Karachi’s Jafar-e-Tayyar and three persons, including a woman lost their lives in the incident.

At least three people, including two children and a woman, were killed as a three-story residential building on July 18, 2017 collapsed at Liaqatabad No. 9 in Karachi.