Seven killed as residential building collapses in southwest Pakistan

At least seven people were killed and several others injured when a five-story residential building collapsed on Friday in Karachi’s Lee Market area, located in the southern Pakistani port city.

Emergency teams are continuing search and rescue operations, with 20 to 25 people feared trapped beneath the debris.

So far, six individuals -- including three women -- have been pulled out alive, according to Pakistan’s Rescue 1122 and Chhipa Welfare officials.

The collapse took place in the densely populated Lyari district, where rescue workers are using heavy machinery and thermal imaging devices in a race to find survivors.

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Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

Chief minister calls incident ‘tragic’

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah described the collapse as “an extremely tragic event” and sought a detailed report from local authorities.

“This is a deeply saddening tragedy. The officials concerned must submit an immediate report,” Shah said in a statement on Friday. “Rescue teams should act swiftly to pull out those still buried beneath the debris.”

  Rescuers and city residents worked together to pull people from the debris of the run down building in the mega port city of Karachi.AFP

He also instructed that all injured individuals receive immediate medical attention and was briefed on ongoing rescue efforts.

In a separate directive, Shah asked the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to urgently submit a list of all dilapidated buildings in Karachi. He stressed the need for practical measures to identify and secure unsafe structures, warning that negligence would not be tolerated.

“Protecting human life is our top priority,” he said.

Governor urges swift, full response

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori also issued a statement urging a “swift and coordinated” rescue operation, directing that all available resources be deployed to save lives.

He emphasized the importance of providing full medical and logistical support to victims and their families.

Roof and building collapses are common across Pakistan, mainly because of poor safety standards and shoddy construction materials in the South Asian country of more than 240 million people.

But Karachi, home to more than 20 million, is especially notorious for poor construction, illegal extensions, ageing infrastructure, overcrowding, and lax enforcement of building regulations.

With additional input from AFP