Roof Collapse in Lyari Claims Lives of Two Sisters, Three Others Injured; Building Sealed

KARACHI – A tragic incident occurred in Lyari’s Khadda Market where the roofs of the fifth and sixth floors of a residential building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two women and injuries to three others. Authorities swiftly evacuated the building and sealed it to prevent further danger.
According to Express News, rescue teams and police arrived immediately at the scene and began relief operations. Edhi Foundation reported that the sixth floor collapsed onto the fifth, causing severe damage. The deceased have been identified as two sisters, one of whom is 45-year-old Hurmat Rafiq. The injured include 40-year-old Sakina, 18-year-old Hajra, and 22-year-old Javeria.
DIG South Syed Asad Raza confirmed that the top floor of the six-story Ghani Mansion, located near Bilal Mosque and Peshawari Hotel, fell on the lower floor. The victims were shifted to Civil Hospital. The injured are reportedly the daughters of the deceased women and are receiving medical treatment.
Officials evacuated the remaining residents and sealed off the building. Assistant Commissioner of Kemari Subdivision, Nadeem Aurangzeb, stated that the roof collapsed during repair work on the upper floors. He highlighted that 107 buildings in Lyari are structurally unsafe and under survey by a special committee. A comprehensive policy is expected from the Sindh government within 15 days.
Aurangzeb further noted that illegal constructions pose a major challenge, with floors often being added overnight by building mafias. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA)’s technical team is conducting a detailed inspection of the site. Once a building is declared unsafe, the district administration initiates a thorough review involving experts from various departments.
Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy.” He confirmed that the collapse occurred amid ongoing repair work and emphasized the need for transparency in identifying dangerous buildings. Ghani acknowledged concerns that some structures may have been wrongly classified as unsafe for dishonest reasons.
The minister stated that committees led by Deputy Commissioners (DCs) are working in every district, involving private structural experts. The Chief Secretary also held an emergency meeting to discuss swift relief for affected residents. As part of immediate relief, authorities are considering relocating families to nearby hotels due to the unsafe conditions and narrow alleys.
Ghani appealed to residents to cooperate and not risk their lives by staying in hazardous buildings. He admitted the government’s shortcomings in preventing illegal construction under existing laws and announced plans to introduce amendments that would allow criminal action against those involved in unauthorized developments.
He also mentioned that senior officials have already been arrested in connection with the incident, reiterating the government’s commitment to enforcing the law. He stressed that unchecked construction damages essential infrastructure like water and sewerage systems, and that curbing illegal building practices would significantly reduce urban challenges.