14 killed as five-story building collapses in Karachi, many feared trapped

At least 14 people have been killed after a five-story residential building collapsed in Karachi, Pakistan. Authorities estimate that 25 to 30 people may still be trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon on Shaikha Road in Karachi’s Lyari area, which is part of the city’s old district. The building, built in 1974, had already been declared “dangerous” by city authorities.

Disaster management officials in Pakistan said rescue operations began after Friday evening. So far, rescuers have recovered the bodies of five women, eight men, and a seven-year-old child. Due to the number of people trapped and the building’s condition, the death toll is expected to rise.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who visited the scene, stated that the collapsed building had been unsafe for many years. He mentioned that the city administration had labeled this building, along with over 400 others in the old city area, as “dangerous.” Despite repeated evacuation notices, many residents chose to ignore the warnings.

Rescue operations are still underway. Security around the site has been tightened, and both rescue teams and local authorities are on standby to offer all necessary support.