2025 Karachi building collapse
 Ariel view of Lyari, Karachi | |
 | |
| Date | 4 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:00 AM PKT (UTC+5) |
| Location | Baghdadi, Lyari, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 24°51′36″N 66°59′46″E / 24.8600°N 66.9960°E |
| Cause | Structural failure of deteriorated and illegally modified building |
| Participants | Residents of Fotan Mansion |
| Deaths | 27 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 10+ |
| Arrests | 9 (including 8 SBCA officials and the building owner) |
The 2025 Karachi building collapse was a fatal structural failure that occurred on 4 July 2025, when a five-storey residential building known as Fotan Mansion collapsed in the Lyari area of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.[1] The building, located in a densely populated inner street of Baghdadi, housed approximately 12 families. The collapse resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people, including women and children, and left more than 10 injured. Rescue operations lasted three days, and the final body was recovered on 6 July 2025.[2]
Background
[edit]The collapsed structure, known locally as Fotan Mansion, was a five-storey residential building located in the Ramaswami Quarters of Lyari, a densely populated area of Karachi.[3] Constructed in the 1990s, the building had been declared dangerous by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) as early as 2023, due to visible structural deterioration. Despite multiple evacuation notices, including one issued in late June 2025, the building remained occupied by around 12 families at the time of the collapse.[1][4]
Residents, mostly from low-income and minority communities, continued to live in the building due to the absence of alternative housing and the continued supply of electricity and gas, which gave a false sense of safety. The building's owner allegedly collected rent despite official warnings and did not carry out required structural repairs. Authorities later found that the building had been subjected to unauthorised modifications, including illegal vertical extensions and poor-quality construction. The tragedy highlighted systemic problems in Karachi's urban management, where over 580 buildings had already been declared hazardous, including more than 100 in Lyari alone.[5][4]
Collapse
[edit]On the morning of 4 July 2025, at approximately 10:00 am, Fotan Mansion collapsed suddenly onto a narrow street.[6] Local residents reported hearing loud cracking or shaking noises shortly before the structure gave way. The collapse immediately trapped dozens of residents under rubble.[7] Rescue teams from the Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers, Rescue 1122, Chhipa Welfare Association and the Edhi Foundation, along with police and local volunteers, rushed to the site. Workers used heavy machinery to remove debris, though narrow access routes slowed efforts.[8] Initial efforts recovered at least six bodies within hours, with a further ten recovered overnight, bringing the death toll to 16 by 5 July.[9] Rescue teams continued working into the weekend, ultimately recovering 27 bodies by 6 July, and treating at least 10 injured people, one of whom later died in hospital.[10] The search operation concluded late on 6 July, and the area was declared clear of survivors.[2][11][12][13]
Victims
[edit]The collapse of Fotan Mansion killed at least 27 people, including women, children, and elderly residents. Authorities confirmed that 10 individuals were rescued alive, with one later succumbing to injuries in hospital.[10] Rescue teams found many victims crushed beneath reinforced concrete and metal, complicating recovery efforts. Several families were severely affected. Authorities have identified several of the deceased as Ayush Jamna Das, age 12; Shani Juma, age 65; Kailash Juma, age 40; Usha Kailash, age 35; Prakash Shivjee, age 50; Chetan Shivjee, age 35; Rohit Arsi, age 30; and Geeta Rohit, age 24. According to a surgeon, Rohit and Geeta were a couple who had married only recently. One resident, Imdad Hussain, lost seven family members, including women and children, and said "We've lost our home, our people. I don't know how we'll start again" to Reuters.[14]
Most of the building's occupants belonged to low-income households and some were from religious minority groups, including the Hindu community.[12] Many had lived in the building for years, renting small apartments due to lack of affordable housing elsewhere. In addition to the confirmed deaths, around 50 families from surrounding buildings were displaced due to the risk of further collapse.[15] These families were temporarily relocated to shelters and school buildings as officials conducted inspections on neighbouring structures. The Sindh government announced Rs 1 million compensation for each deceased victim and Rs 300,000 for each injured person. Survivors were also offered food supplies, shelter, and short-term accommodation, though many expressed concern about long-term resettlement.[9][16]
Investigation
[edit]A formal First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Baghdadi police station, naming nine SBCA officials and the building owner, Raheem Bux Khaskheli, on charges of manslaughter, criminal negligence, falsifying records, and obstructing enforcement duties. Sindh Police arrested eight SBCA directors and deputy directors including Syed Asif Rizvi, Syed Zaram Haider, Syed Irfan Haider Naqvi, Ashfaq Husain, Jalees Siddiqi, Faheem Murtaza, Irfan Naqvi, and Zulfiqar Shah, as well as the building owner.[17] One official was exempt from arrest for health reasons.[18][19]
The FIR alleges that SBCA personnel, from 2022 to 2025, were aware of the building's deteriorating state but failed to mark it as unfit or ensure its evacuation. It further claims the owner continued renting the premises despite its known risk. An inquiry committee, chaired by the Commissioner of Karachi and appointed by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, began investigations immediately.[20] They reviewed SBCA procedures, building records, and enforcement failures. In response, Sindh authorities suspended SBCA Director General Ishaq Khuhro, replacing him with Shahmir Khan Bhutto. The Sindh High Court approved inquiry instructed the inspection of 588 unsafe buildings in Karachi, including 51 high-risk structures in Lyari, and led to arrest warrants and FIRs for illegal construction linked to broader graft allegations.[5] Authorities also initiated steps to demolish seriously dangerous buildings and review SBCA's rules and eviction processes, aiming to prevent similar tragedies.[18][21]
Response
[edit]The Sindh government announced financial compensation of PKR 1 million for each deceased individual and PKR 300,000 for the injured. Additional relief included temporary housing and promised plots for reconstruction.[22]
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered inspections of all dangerous buildings and warned that negligence would not be tolerated.[19] Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed grief, called the incident unacceptable, and announced support for affected families, including housing and ration aid. President Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences and instructed the Sindh government to conduct an immediate inquiry. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and urged swift rescue operations.[19]
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari assured that the Sindh government would fully assist the victims.[22] Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani announced compensation of Rs 1 million for families of the deceased and Rs 300,000 for the injured. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon confirmed plans to demolish 51 severely dangerous buildings and assess over 700 more across Sindh. MQM leader Ali Khursheedi criticised the Sindh government for its failure to act despite prior warnings.[19]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Karachi building collapse". Brecorder. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b Staff, The Media Line (7 July 2025). "Karachi Building Collapse Kills 27 as Rescue Operations Conclude". The Media Line. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Karachi building collapse: Death toll rises to 16; over 20 people trapped". The Tribune. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Death toll from Pakistan building collapse climbs to 27". Arab News. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b Sunny, Patrick (9 July 2025). "Karachi building collapse a warning for Hyderabad". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Pakistan: Several killed in Karachi building collapse – DW – 07/04/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Residents heard cracking before deadly apartment collapse in Pakistan". ABC News. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Sunny, Patrick (5 July 2025). "12 perish in Karachi building collapse". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b "A multistory building collapse in Pakistan's port city of Karachi kills at least 6 people". AP News. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Death toll from building collapse in Pakistan's Karachi jumps to 27". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Several people killed in multistorey building collapse in Pakistan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b AP (6 July 2025). "Pakistan building collapse: Death toll rises to 27 as rescuers search for survivors". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Number of dead in Pakistan building collapse tragedy climbs to 27". Daily Sabah. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Soomro, Akhtar; Shahid, Ariba; Shahid, Ariba (8 July 2025). "Survivors grieve, worry about future after deadly building collapse in Pakistan". Reuters. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Hussain, Shahzaib (11 July 2025). "Four-storey Lyari building nearly collapses in Karachi". Aaj English TV. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Sindh building authority chief suspended as 27 dead in Karachi building collapse". Arab News. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Ali, Imtiaz (10 July 2025). "Police arrest 8 SBCA officials, owner in Lyari building collapse case". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Pakistan police detain eight Sindh building authority officials after Karachi building collapse". Arab News PK. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d Ali, Dawn com | Imtiaz (7 July 2025). "Sindh govt suspends SBCA DG over Lyari building collapse". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Ahmed, Ashfaq (6 July 2025). "Pakistan: At least 23 dead in Karachi building collapse". Gulf News. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Karachi building collapse prompts Hyderabad to act on derelict structures". Pakistan Today. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ a b "SBCA officials, others arrested in Karachi building collapse probe". The Nation. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.