Lyari building collapse death toll climbs to 18

KARACHI: Eighteen bodies have been recovered from under the debris of the building that collapsed in Lyari’s Khadda market Karachi on Sunday night.

According to details, a total of 12 people were injured when the five-storey residential building collapsed. The rescue operation is underway for the third consecutive day during which bodies of three women were pulled out from under the rubble.

Rescue officials informed that there were around 50 to 60 people in the building at the time of the collapse. There were 40 flats in the building. Rescue officials further informed that it will take to three more days to complete the operation.

Law Enforcement Agencies are at the scene to help with the rescue process. The director-general of Sindh Rangers visited the site today (Tuesday) to monitor the rescue work.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also expressed regret over the loss of precious lives in the incident.

“I am with the affected families, we will not leave them alone in these difficult times,” Bilawal said, extending his support and adding that concrete steps should be taken to prevent such accidents in the future.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice and Governor Imran Ismail has summoned a report on the incident. This was the second building collapse in Karachi in the past four months.