Two dead in Karachi building collapse
THOSE TRAPPED UNDER THE DEBRIS HAD COME TO COLLECT THEIR BELONGINGS, OFFICIALS SAY
At least two people were killed and eight others injured after a multi-storey residential building in Karachi collapsed, officials said yesterday, adding that rescue operations were underway.
The incident took place at Lyari’s Liaquat Colony on Sunday night.
Speaking to Dawn news, an Edhi Foundation official said that rescue workers had pulled two bodies from the rubble; one of a woman and the other of a child.
“We were told that the building was more or less empty. Residents told us that very few people were present (when it collapsed),” the official said, adding that approximately 10 people were buried underneath the rubble.
Rescue operation at the site by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers - Sindh recovered two bodies. They also rescued 13 injured people aged between 16 and 50 years.
Dilapidated building
According to Dr Khaddim Hussain, Medical Superintendent, Ruth Pfau Karachi Civil Hospital, the injured are mostly out of danger and were being provided with needed medical assistance.
The injured included a police constable, Fayyaz Ahmad, helping his brother’s family to vacate their flat as per mutual decision of all residents in view of precarious status of the building.
City SSP Muqaddas Haider told Dawn news that residents had been given notices due to the dilapidated state of the building, because of which many families had vacated their apartments.
On Sunday morning, another major crack had appeared in the building due to which several more people had evacuated their apartments, he said.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the Karachi Commissioner to begin rescue operations, according to a statement by his spokesperson.
According to Sindh Building
Control Authority (SBCA) spokesperson Ali Mehdi Kazmi, the collapsed building had been declared dangerous.
“The residential building was in a dilapidated state and was old. Notices were issued six months ago to vacate the building and around two months ago it was also recommended that the electricity and gas supply be cut.”
The concerned agency had issued evacuation notice to the residents.
Authorities said the few who were trapped under the debris there had come to collect their belonging before the tragic accident happened.
There may be more people stuck in the debris, said Abdul Kaleem, a rescue worker associated with Edhi Foundation.
Doctors’ leaves cancelled
Engineering Corps of Pakistan Army, equipped with heavy machinery is actively engaged in removal of the debris, with all necessary precautions being adopted to help safe recovery of people.
Meanwhile, Sindh Health Department has declared medical emergency at Ruth Pfau
13 injured people were pulled out from under the debris
The residential building was in a dilapidated state and was old. Notices were issued six months ago to vacate the building and around two months ago it was also recommended that the electricity and gas supply be cut.”
Ali Mehdi Kazmi | Sindh Building Control Authority
Civil Hospital - Karachi and Lyari General Hospital to ensure immediate medical support to the injured.
Sanctioned leave of all doctors and staff members, associated with the two hospitals have been cancelled, with concerned departments placed on alert.
In March, 27 people were killed after a building collapsed in Karachi’s Gulbahar area.
The residential building had fallen on two adjacent structures, bringing them to the ground as well.