Date: July 6, 2025 | NewsMakers Web Desk

After almost 60 hours of continued hard work, search and rescue operations in Lyari’s Bhagdadi area, where a 5-storey building collapsed, killing 27, were called off Sunday morning.

The operation has ended, and action would be taken against the structurally weak building structures in the area, Assistant Commissioner Shehryar Habib told reporters on the site.

”The rescue operation is over. The operations against all buildings declared unfit for living in Lyari will be launched from tomorrow, Habib said.

A City in Mourning

The collapse took place on Friday, setting off chaos and a huge emergency response. Twenty-six bodies were recovered from the rubble — nine women, 15 men, a 10-year-old boy and a toddler among them. The death toll has now risen to 27.

Evacuations and Fresh Danger

Three neighbouring buildings have been declared “dangerous” and all have now been evacuated and sealed. More than 50 structurally dangerous buildings have been located in Karachi South only, officials said.

“There are a lot of people who are now staying temporarily with relatives where they chose to go,” said the Assistant Commissioner. We’re developing a plan to relocate all of the families affected,” Habib added.

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Govt Orders Inquiry, Committee Set Up

Following public outcry, the Sindh government set up a high-powered committee to probe into the incident. The panel has been directed to an initial inquiry report.

According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), it had issued multiple evacuation notices, including the most recent one on June 25, 2025.

The authority also claimed to have sent notices to K-Electric and the Water Board to cut off utility connections. However, K-Electric and the Water Board did not take any action.

Hundreds of Buildings at Risk in Karachi

According to the official records, 578 buildings have been declared dangerous across Karachi. Here’s the district-wise breakdown:

South: 456
Central: 66
Keamari: 23
Korangi: 14
East: 13
Malir: 4
West: 2

Sindh Chief Minister’s Appeal

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while expressing grief over the tragedy, emphasized the need for vigilance. He said,”This was a heartbreaking event. Our focus during rescue operations was to save as many lives as possible.”

The CM Sindh revealed that another recently evacuated building in Agra Taj was constructed without completing legal formalities. This, he said, underscored the widespread nature of illegal constructions in the city.

Murad Ali Shah warned citizens to verify all legal approvals before purchasing flats, adding that the government is now considering relocation plans for over 400 dangerous structures, especially in the Old City Area.

Another Building Declared Unsafe

Another multi-storey complex in the same neighborhood was declared “unsafe” on Sunday, forcing authorities to issue urgent evacuation orders.

The Sindh Chief Minister is expected to chair a high level meeting on Monday to discuss the issue. Murad Ali Shah has vowed that the government officials responsible for such incidents will not be pardoned.