Karachi:
A structurally unstable five -story building in the Baghdad neighborhood, Lyari, collapsed more than 48 hours ago, leaving at least 27 dead people, authorities said Sunday.
Dr. Sabir Memon, executive director of the Benazir Bhutto trauma center, confirmed the death toll. An injured person remains under treatment in the hospital.
According to 1122 rescue officials, the deceased include nine women, 15 men, a 10 -year -old boy and an 18 -month -old girl identified as Muqaddas. Another deceased was identified as Shoaib by family members. Many of the deceased belong to the Hindu community.
As more debris were eliminated, more deceased were recovered from under the rubble. Rescue teams, assisted by scanning teams, are continuous efforts to locate more survivors or deceased.
During the operation, the cash, the checks and jewels of three separate locations were recovered and delivered to the local president of the Council of the Union.
The Edhi Foundation confirmed that the deceased has been transferred to the installation of cold storage in Lyari Musa Lane.
The South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khosa said The express trustee that operations are being carried out with greater care to avoid endangering anyone trapped alive. He pointed out that the densely populated area has hindered rescue work. But the equipment is equipped with advanced technology, he added.
Rescue workers have used tracker dogs and heavy machinery while looking for debris. Resident volunteers together with the police are helping in the search operation.
Read: Most collapse victims of the Lyari building belong to the Hindu community
Structural damage
Another seven -story residential building in the AGRA TAJ neighborhood of Lyari was evacuated on Saturday night after a joint operation of the district administration, the Building Control Authority of Sindh (SBCA) and the Police.
The building was declared dangerous after signs of structural inclination were identified. The severe cracks had appeared in the structure after the recent monsoon spell.
Read more: Hope fades when Lyari Building Collapse Toll hits 23
An inspection of SBCA engineers declared that the building is uninhabitable, which caused emergency evacuation. The residents resisted at the beginning but agreed to leave after successful negotiations.
According to South’s deputy commissioner, the building housed 12 floors with 57 residents of 11 families.
The building has now been sealed, its energy supply has been disconnected and the water tank has been demolished to avoid greater danger.
‘Not suitable for living’
Talking with Express NewsThe municipal officer of Lyari, Hammad Nd Khan, said the Sindh government has decided to evacuate all dangerous buildings in Lyari.
He said that a formal operation will be decided on Monday during a meeting chaired by the principal minister of Sindh. All dangerous buildings are expected to be evacuated in phases and demolished.
He added that the provincial government will develop a policy to provide alternative homes to residents of these insecure structures.
Arrangements for temporary accommodation have been made in community centers and hotels for victims of collapsed and evacuated buildings, he said. However, most of the affected residents have chosen to keep their relatives or on the site, he said, adding that TMC Lyari is providing them with food and other needs for them.
According to Khan, the rescue operation is likely to end on Sunday. The legal measures will be taken under the law against all those involved in illegal constructions in Lyari, he said.
An affected woman said the temporal refuge at a KMC school in Lyari was “not suitable for living.”
Demanding the responsibility of the in danger of extinction, the affected residents have accused SBCA officials of accepting bribes, both during and after the construction of the building, and ignoring the clear violations.
After the evacuation, SBCA registered a case at Kalri police station against the builder and an unidentified contractor.
The FIR establishes that lower quality materials and illegal construction methods were used, which puts the lives of residents at risk, which requires the sealing of the building.
The attached commissioner said that if any government officials are considered complicit in the construction of the building, legal measures will also be taken against them. He added that residents will receive support to recover their builder’s financial losses.
