Karachi (Pakistan): Rescue teams recovered more bodies from the debris of a five-story building that collapsed in Pakistan overnight, raising the death toll to 17 as the rescue operation entered its second day. The residential structure fell shortly after 10:00 am on Friday in Lyari, a historically impoverished neighborhood of Karachi once known for gang violence and regarded as one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts.
Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh, head of the government’s 1122 rescue service at the site, stated that the rescue efforts continued tirelessly through the night and may take an additional eight to twelve hours to conclude.
According to police official Summiaya Syed, who was at a Karachi hospital where the victims were brought, the confirmed death toll stood at 17 on Saturday morning, with half of the victims being women, and 13 people injured. It is estimated that up to 100 residents were living in the building.
Senior police officer Arif Aziz shared that all six members of 70-year-old Jumho Maheshwari’s family, who were on the first floor, were trapped inside when he went to work early in the morning. Maheshwari expressed his despair, saying, “Nothing is left for me now—my entire family is trapped, and I can only pray for their safe rescue.”
Another resident, Maya Sham Jee, revealed that her brother’s family was also caught under the rubble, describing the tragedy as life-changing for her family. “We are helpless and just waiting for the rescue workers to safely bring our loved ones back,” she stated.
Shankar Kamho, a 30-year-old resident who was away at the time of the collapse, recounted how his wife called him in panic, warning that the building was cracking. He advised her to evacuate immediately. She attempted to warn neighbors, but one woman dismissed her, saying the building would stand for at least ten more years.
Nevertheless, Kamho’s wife took their daughter and left the building just before it collapsed roughly 20 minutes later.