On July 4, 2025, a five-storey building in Karachi’s Lyari collapsed, killing at least two people and injuring six, with rescue operations ongoing, per Dawn. The incident, which occurred in a dilapidated structure, has prompted urgent action from the authorities.
The collapse occurred on Fida Hussain Shaikha Road in Lyari’s Baghdadi neighborhood. Dr. Summaiya Syed of Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) confirmed two male deaths, while Dr. Muhammad Sabir Memon reported six injuries, one critical. The injured include Rashid Aziz, 25, and Fatima Babo, 55, per CHK records. Conflicting reports from Saad Edhi of the Edhi Foundation cited four deaths, with 8–10 people possibly trapped in the “worn-out” building, housing up to 100 residents.
A five storey building in Baghdadi, Lyari has collapsed. Relief and rescue work is on going. Will keep everyone posted
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) July 4, 2025Sindh’s Rescue 1122 deployed its Urban Search and Rescue team, ambulance, and disaster-response vehicle, per official statements. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab noted ongoing relief efforts on X. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered immediate rescues and medical aid, demanding a report on Karachi’s 570+ “dangerous” buildings from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). Governor Kamran Tessori and Minister Saeed Ghani emphasised swift, coordinated operations, warning against negligence.
The collapse follows a similar incident in Kharadar, with no casualties, and an April 2025 Bhains Colony collapse killing a 10-year-old. The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee flagged 570 unsafe buildings in December 2024, urging their evacuation. Ageing infrastructure and lax enforcement, with only 30% of high-risk buildings inspected annually, according to SBCA data, exacerbate risks.
