Karachi, July 5 (V7N) — At least 12 people have died and several others have been injured after a five-storey building collapsed in the Lee Market area of Karachi’s Lyari on Friday (July 4). According to Geo News, emergency responders are continuing search and rescue efforts, with fears that more people remain trapped under the debris.

The tragedy unfolded when two pillars of the building reportedly gave way, leading to the entire structure crumbling within moments. Authorities had declared the building risky just days earlier, warning of structural weakness worsened by recent rains. Despite the warnings, several families continued to live in the building.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He has instructed authorities to accelerate rescue operations and ensure immediate medical care for the injured.

Lee Market, a historic and densely populated area named after British engineer Meesham Lea, was home to about 100 residents in the ill-fated building at the time of the collapse.

Rescue workers say that as hours pass, the chances of finding survivors are diminishing, but operations will continue until all those trapped are accounted for.

END/RH/AJ