Lyari Building Disaster: What Went Wrong and the dozen fatalities

On July 4, 2025, a five-story residential building in Karachi’s Lyari district suddenly collapsed around 10:00 a.m. local time. The incident resulted in at least 16 confirmed fatalities and over a dozen injuries, with several individuals still feared trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue operations have been ongoing, challenged by narrow access routes and high daytime temperatures exceeding 33°C. Witness accounts confirm audible cracking before the structure gave way, indicating warning signs were present.

Authorities reported that the building had been declared structurally unsafe for several years. Official notices were allegedly served between 2022 and 2024, advising evacuation due to visible deterioration. However, some residents and owners claim they were never informed. Early warnings, including visible pillar cracks on the day of the collapse, were not uniformly acted upon by the occupants. Over 20 families were residing in the building at the time of the incident.

Officials and urban planners say the collapse highlights recurring issues in Pakistan’s urban infrastructure. Karachi, a city of more than 20 million, faces chronic problems related to issues such as overcrowding, unauthorized construction, and reportedly inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations. More than 50 buildings in the Lyari district alone have been classified as unsafe, with six additional structures evacuated following this latest tragedy. The incident has prompted renewed calls for stronger enforcement of structural compliance and evacuation orders.

Below you can see video footage of the tragic building collapse. Viewer discretion is advisable.