Pakistan Building Collapse Death Toll Rises to 27

The tragic collapse of a five-storey residential building in Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood has claimed at least 27 lives, including 15 women and three children, as rescue efforts near completion.

The devastating incident, which occurred on Friday in Pakistan’s southern port city, has left the nation in mourning as authorities work to determine how the disaster happened.

Rescue 1122, a state-run emergency service, confirmed the updated death toll on Sunday. According to spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan, most of the debris has now been cleared, and the search-and-rescue phase is in its final stage. Khan also noted that three individuals remain in critical condition, while dozens more were injured during the collapse.

The building, reportedly over 30 years old, had already been declared unsafe by local authorities, raising serious questions about why residents were still living there.

Eyewitnesses say they felt several tremors before the structure suddenly gave way, initially mistaking the shakes for a minor earthquake. Hours later, the building came crashing down, trapping more than 30 people beneath the rubble.

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Rescue workers employed heavy machinery and modern equipment in a 48-hour operation to locate and retrieve victims. Authorities quickly cordoned off the area and evacuated two adjoining buildings as a precaution to prevent further tragedy.

The incident has triggered public outrage and calls for accountability, especially since warnings about the building’s condition had already been issued. In response, a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the collapse, including potential negligence by building inspectors or local officials.

All recovered victims were transported to local hospitals, where several remain under treatment. As the city of Karachi grapples with the scale of the tragedy, families are left searching for answers — and justice.

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