Tragic Building Collapse in Karachi’s Lyari:

On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic event shook the densely populated Lyari neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan, when a five-story residential building, known as Fotan Mansion, collapsed, claiming at least nine lives and injuring seven others. This tragedy, occurring in the Baghdadi area along Fida Hussain Shaikha Road, has once again exposed the critical issues of unsafe housing, lax building regulations, and systemic negligence in Pakistan’s largest city. As rescue operations continue and families mourn their losses, this incident underscores the urgent need for reform in Karachi’s urban infrastructure and construction oversight. This article delves into the details of the collapse, its causes, the response from authorities, and the broader implications for the city’s housing crisis.The Incident: A Devastating CollapseThe collapse occurred around 10:10 AM local time, catching residents of the aging structure off guard. The building, constructed in 1974, had been previously declared dangerous by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), yet it remained occupied, housing multiple families. According to reports, the structure gave way suddenly, reducing the five-story edifice to a pile of rubble and trapping dozens of residents beneath the debris. Rescue teams, including Pakistan Rangers, Rescue 1122, and the Edhi Foundation, were swiftly deployed, supported by local residents who joined in the frantic efforts to save lives.Initial reports confirmed the recovery of nine bodies, with the death toll varying slightly in early accounts due to the chaotic nature of the rescue operations. Among the deceased were three women, four men, and a seven-year-old boy, as well as a three-month-old infant, highlighting the heartbreaking toll on families. The injured, including four men, two women, and a teenage girl, were rushed to Civil Hospital Karachi’s Trauma Centre, where one woman was reported to be in critical condition. Names of some victims, such as Fatima Babu, Hoor Bai, Prantic Arsi, Prem, and Waseem Babu, were released by the hospital, painting a somber picture of the human cost.Rescue operations, supported by heavy machinery and heartbeat detectors, continued into the evening as authorities estimated that up to 25 people might still be trapped. The urgency of the situation was compounded by the onset of the monsoon season, which had already weakened the structural integrity of many old buildings in Karachi. The collapse of a nearby building’s staircase further complicated rescue efforts, raising fears of additional casualties.The Causes: A Recipe for DisasterThe Lyari building collapse is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of deeper systemic issues plaguing Karachi’s urban landscape. The city, home to over 20 million people, faces a chronic housing shortage, forcing many low-income residents to live in dilapidated, overcrowded structures. The Fotan Mansion, like many buildings in Lyari, was over 30 years old and had been flagged as unsafe by the SBCA. Despite multiple warnings and requests for utility disconnections, no decisive action was taken to evacuate residents or demolish the structure, allowing a preventable tragedy to unfold.Karachi’s building collapses are often attributed to a combination of factors:

1. Substandard Construction: Many buildings in Lyari and other parts of Karachi’s Old City were constructed with poor-quality materials and inadequate engineering, often bypassing safety regulations. Illegal extensions and modifications further weaken these structures over time.
2. Aging Infrastructure: The collapsed building, constructed in 1974, had not undergone regular maintenance, a common issue in low-income areas where landlords prioritize profit over safety.
3. Negligence by Authorities: The SBCA had identified 588 buildings in Karachi as dangerous, with over 100 in Lyari alone. However, enforcement of evacuation orders and utility disconnections is often delayed or ignored due to bureaucratic inefficiencies or alleged corruption.
4. Monsoon Vulnerabilities: The ongoing monsoon season, with heavy rainfall forecast between July 6 and 10, exacerbates the risk of collapse in already weakened structures. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued warnings about potential floods and landslides, but these alerts often fail to translate into proactive measures.

This incident follows a pattern of similar tragedies in Karachi. In June 2020, a five-story building collapse in Lyari killed 25 people, and in April 2024, a three-story structure in North Nazimabad claimed one life and injured four others. These recurring disasters highlight the city’s failure to address its housing crisis effectively.

Official Response and Public OutcryThe collapse prompted immediate responses from local and national authorities. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site, confirming the death toll and emphasizing the urgency of rescue operations. He noted that the building had been declared dangerous, raising questions about why residents were not evacuated earlier. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed rescue teams to prioritize saving lives and ordered the SBCA to provide a detailed report on dilapidated buildings across the city. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences, urging swift medical aid for the injured.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, directing authorities to expedite rescue efforts and ensure the best possible medical care for survivors. Sindh Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani called for an immediate investigation into the collapse, while opposition leaders, such as Ali Khurshidi, criticized the SBCA and district administration for negligence. Khurshidi demanded the evacuation of 400 unsafe buildings in Karachi’s South district and accountability for corrupt officials.Public sentiment, as reflected on platforms like X, was one of grief and frustration. Posts condemned the SBCA’s inaction and highlighted the recurring nature of such incidents. Opposition leaders and activists called for systemic reforms, accusing authorities of allowing faulty construction to persist unchecked. The tragedy also sparked discussions about the broader housing crisis, with many pointing to the lack of affordable, safe housing options for Karachi’s low-income communities.Karachi’s Housing Crisis: A Ticking Time BombThe Lyari collapse is a stark reminder of Karachi’s ongoing housing crisis. With a population exceeding 20 million, the city struggles to provide adequate housing for its residents, particularly in low-income areas like Lyari, one of the oldest and most densely populated neighborhoods. Many residents live in aging, multi-story buildings that lack proper maintenance or structural upgrades. The SBCA’s identification of 588 dangerous buildings, with a significant portion in Lyari and the Old City, underscores the scale of the problem.Karachi’s rapid urbanization, coupled with lax enforcement of building codes, has led to widespread illegal construction and overcrowding. Developers often cut corners to maximize profits, using substandard materials and ignoring safety standards. Tenants, unable to afford safer alternatives, are forced to live in hazardous conditions. The city’s infrastructure, much of it decades old, is ill-equipped to handle the pressures of a growing population and extreme weather conditions, such as the monsoon rains that weaken already fragile structures.The SBCA’s repeated warnings about unsafe buildings have done little to prevent disasters, as enforcement remains weak. Bureaucratic delays, alleged corruption, and a lack of coordination between agencies exacerbate the problem. Residents are often unaware of the risks or lack the means to relocate, leaving them vulnerable to tragedies like the Lyari collapse.The Path Forward: Addressing the CrisisThe Lyari building collapse is a wake-up call for Karachi’s authorities to take decisive action to prevent future tragedies. Several steps are critical to addressing the city’s housing and safety challenges:

1. Stricter Enforcement of Building Codes: The SBCA must strengthen its oversight of construction projects, ensuring compliance with safety standards and cracking down on illegal modifications. Regular inspections and mandatory maintenance for older buildings are essential.
2. Evacuation and Demolition of Unsafe Structures: The 588 identified dangerous buildings, particularly in high-risk areas like Lyari, should be evacuated and either repaired or demolished. Utility disconnections can incentivize compliance, but they must be enforced consistently.
3. Affordable Housing Initiatives: The government must invest in affordable, safe housing for low-income residents, reducing the reliance on dilapidated structures. Public-private partnerships could help develop sustainable housing projects.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Residents need to be informed about the risks of living in unsafe buildings and provided with viable relocation options. Community engagement can also encourage reporting of hazardous structures.
5. Monsoon Preparedness: With the NDMA forecasting heavy rainfall, authorities must prioritize preemptive measures, such as reinforcing vulnerable buildings and improving drainage systems to mitigate flood risks.
6. Accountability and Transparency: Investigations into the Lyari collapse should hold negligent officials and landlords accountable. Transparent reporting on the status of unsafe buildings can build public trust and ensure action.

ConclusionThe collapse of the five-story building in Karachi’s Lyari on July 4, 2025, is a tragic reminder of the city’s unresolved housing crisis. The loss of at least nine lives and the injuries sustained by seven others highlight the human cost of systemic failures in urban planning and governance. As rescue teams continue their efforts and families grieve, the incident demands urgent action to address the root causes of such disasters. By enforcing building regulations, prioritizing safe housing, and holding authorities accountable, Karachi can prevent future tragedies and ensure a safer future for its residents. The Lyari collapse is not just a disaster—it is a call to action for a city at a crossroads.