A rescue and search operation is underway to find survivors and recover bodies from the debris after a five-storey, decades-old building collapsed in Karachi.

 

The residential building, located in Lyari’s Baghdadi area, that housed over 40 people in 20 apartments, crumbled on Friday. According to the authorities' estimation, 10-12 people may still be trapped under the rubble.

 

Reports, citing hospital administration, claimed that the rescuers have recovered 16 bodies—six women and 10 men—from the debris so far. Three people are undergoing treatment. While the rescue operation continues even after 20 hours.

 

Rescue teams are using heavy machinery to remove the debris and a Trapped Person Locator — a device that can detect heartbeats beneath the rubble, to identify any survivors. The device is used after each layer of debris is cleared, which makes the process slow but careful. 

 

District South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Khoso on Saturday said that it could take another eight to 10 hours to complete the operation.

 

“This building was declared dangerous three years ago. A notice was issued to the building a month and a half ago,” Khoso said, noting that there were still 22 extremely dangerous buildings in Lyari, of which 16 have been evacuated.

 

Additionally, the DC said that efforts were underway to evacuate the remaining buildings, warning of legal action over failure to comply with the orders.