Karachi Building Collapse 2025: Tragedy Strikes Lyari as Building Falls, Leaving 9 Dead
On July 4, 2025, Karachi building collapse tragedy struck the bustling city of Karachi when a five-storey building collapsed in Lyari’s Baghdadi neighborhood. At least nine people lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries in the horrifying incident, which has raised serious concerns about urban safety, neglected infrastructure, and the government’s failure to act on long-standing warnings.
According to Dr. Sabir Memon, head of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre at Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, eight deceased were brought in immediately while one person succumbed to injuries during treatment. Of the seven injured, six were discharged after receiving medical attention, while one remains admitted.
Among the injured were four men, two women, and a teenage girl. This collapse is eerily similar to another recent incident in Kharadar where a portion of a building gave way but, fortunately, resulted in no casualties.
A Preventable Disaster?
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had flagged the building as dangerous long before this incident. In fact, as far back as October 2022, the SBCA’s Technical Committee for Dangerous Buildings had declared the structure unsafe. Despite this, residents continued to live there.
The SBCA issued several evacuation notices, beginning with the first on June 2, 2023. These were followed by additional warnings, the most recent being a final three-day ultimatum in late June 2024. Moreover, utility companies like K-Electric, Sui Southern Gas Company, and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board were also instructed to cut off services. Unfortunately, no timely action was taken.
The area’s narrow lanes further complicated rescue efforts. Heavy machinery struggled to reach the site, while police had to clear crowds that gathered in panic. The Pakistan Rangers joined the effort, assisting local authorities and rescuers in pulling survivors from the debris.
Mayor’s Plea for Action
Speaking at the scene, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed frustration over the tragedy. He noted that the Sindh Building Control Authority had declared nearly 588 buildings dangerous across Karachi, with 107 in Lyari alone. “We have two options,” he said. “Either convince people to evacuate or force them.”
Wahab urged citizens living in such buildings to take evacuation notices seriously, highlighting that lives are at stake. “This incident proves that when the government advises for safety, it must be followed,” he emphasized.
The Victims
The confirmed casualties included 55-year-old Fatima Babu, Hoor Bai, 21-year-old Prantic Arsi, 32-year-old Prem, and 35-year-old Waseem Babu. The injured comprised people between 17 and 50 years old. According to local police, up to 100 people were residing in the building when it collapsed.
Saad Edhi, of the Edhi Foundation, called the structure “worn-out.” Many residents had already noticed signs of deterioration following recent monsoon rains but continued living there due to lack of alternative housing.
Survivor Accounts Paint a Grim Picture
Seventy-year-old Jumho Maheshwari was away at work when the building collapsed, leaving all six of his family members trapped inside. “There’s nothing left for me,” he said in despair.
Another resident, Maya Sham Jee, shared how her brother’s family was trapped beneath the rubble. “We are helpless. All we can do is hope for a miracle,” she said.
Shankar Kamho, a 30-year-old resident, recounted how his wife sensed something was wrong. “She warned our neighbors, and some dismissed her concerns. But she saved our daughter and herself,” he added.
Rescue 1122 Lists Challenges
Sindh Rescue 1122 Director General Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh detailed that over 100 personnel, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, five disaster-response vehicles, two snorkels, and ambulances were dispatched. Despite rapid response, rescue work was slowed by roadblocks, communication issues, and the uncooperative crowd.
He stressed that rescue operations would continue until the site is completely cleared.
Provincial Response
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah immediately took notice and ordered swift rescue operations. He asked for a detailed report from the SBCA and instructed that all dangerous buildings be reassessed urgently.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori echoed the same sentiments. He demanded that all available resources be deployed and warned that negligence would not be tolerated.
Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani formed a high-level inquiry committee to determine responsibility and ordered the suspension of involved SBCA officials.
Federal Condolences and Demands for Accountability
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. Both directed the provincial government to intensify rescue efforts and provide medical support to the injured. PM Shehbaz also called for a national strategy to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari assured that all necessary assistance would be provided to the affected families. Other federal leaders, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, also issued their condolences.
Long History of Collapses
Karachi has witnessed several deadly building collapses over the years. In April 2025, a three-storey structure in Bhains Colony gave way, claiming the life of a young girl. In October 2023, a similar incident in Shah Faisal Colony resulted in five fatalities. Two more collapses in 2020 happened within just 72 hours, killing at least three and injuring over a dozen. That same year, Lyari saw a tragic collapse that took 22 lives, while Gulbahar recorded another 27 deaths due to a similar structural failure.
These recurring tragedies highlight the city’s failure to enforce building safety codes and evacuate dangerous structures in a timely manner.
Call for Sustainable Reform
Sardar Abdulrahim, Information Secretary of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), held the Sindh government accountable for neglecting public safety. He demanded financial assistance for the victims’ families and urged immediate action against those responsible.
Urban planning experts have long warned that Karachi’s aging infrastructure, poor regulation, and overcrowded neighborhoods create a high-risk environment. With monsoon rains increasing structural stress, the dangers multiply.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Karachi
The Karachi building collapse of 2025 underscores the city’s deep-rooted infrastructure problems and the urgent need for immediate reform. Repeated warnings and filed reports went unheeded, turning avoidable danger into fatal disaster.
To prevent future tragedies, the authorities must respond swiftly. They need to remove residents from unsafe buildings, hold negligent officials accountable, and raise public awareness about the dangers of ignoring official notices.
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