All 22 people trapped in Kharadar building collapse rescued | The Express Tribune

A corridor connecting two buildings near the Barra Imam bargah in Karachi’s Kharadar area collapsed on Monday, trapping at least 22 people, rescue officials said.

The roof of the corridor and a staircase constructed on top of it gave way, leaving residents of both buildings, including those on the upper three floors of a six-storey structure, unable to exit.

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All 22 people have been rescued. No casualties have been reported at this stage.

An urban search and rescue team, along with one ambulance and a disaster response vehicle, was dispatched immediately after the Central Command and Control Centre received the alert, a rescue 1122 spokesperson said.

Rescue operations have concluded at the site, and officials are continuing to assess the structural risks in the surrounding area.

The building was old and in a deteriorated condition, which may have contributed to the collapse, rescue officials said.

Last week, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) identified 740 dangerously dilapidated buildings across the province – 588 of which are in Karachi – as uninhabitable due to the looming threat of structural collapse during the monsoon season.

The SBCA issued fresh evacuation notices to residents, warning that these century-old structures are at high risk of partial or complete collapse in heavy rains.

However, many occupants have refused to vacate, citing the buildings’ prime locations in city centres, which provide easy access to essential services.

The SBCA made a final appeal to residents, stressing that continued occupancy of these buildings poses a severe threat to life and property.

The authority had assured that it is coordinating with rescue services and relevant departments to handle any emergencies promptly.