Seven killed, 15 injured in building collapse

At least seven persons including a minor girl were killed and 15 others injured when a five-storey edifice collapsed in Baghdadi police limits on Thursday. According to the police and eye-witnesses, at around 11am a five-storey building "Qasr-e-Rokaiya" fell down in Moosa Lane at Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Road.
On being informed, the rescue teams, officials of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) and others rushed to the spot. They said that four bodies including those of two siblings - Arshia, 7, and Bilal were recovered from under the debris of the building. The victims Arshia and Bilal were juniors among five siblings and this family was living at the top floor of the building, eye-witnesses said.
The KBCA officials said the building, that condition got worsening progressively, was included in decayed buildings' list. They said the residents of this building were suggested to move other place to avoid any untoward incident but they refused to do so.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants of the area appraised that several buildings were trespassed by the wrongdoers in past. Therefore, the householders of this building were reluctant to evacuate this decrepitude structure and refused to follow KBCA's suggestions, they said.
SSP Naeem Sheikh expressed apprehension that the death toll in this incident might be escalated as the rescue work hasn't yet been finished. He said although the rescue operation has been expedited, still the teams are facing difficulties due to dense populated area. Moreover, he said that 20 families were living in this 40-year-old building.
When contacted, DC south Mustafa Jamal Qazi said that relief camp on the directives of Governor Sindh Israt-ul-Ibad Khan has been established at Shah Latif Bhattai hall to facilitate the traumatised persons of this incident. He said the city commissioner Muhammad Hussain during his visit to the spot assured the inhabitants of the area to utilise all resources for providing maximum relief to the bereft families.
Dr Aftab Chunar, MLO civil hospital, confirmed that four bodies and 15 injured were bought to the hospital. The deceased were identified as Arshia, 7, daughter of Abdul Ghaffar, Hawwa Bibi, 70, wife of Usman, Imran, 25, son of Usman and Bilal son of Abdul Ghaffar.
Dr Aftab further said all injured namely Aaliya, 35, wife of Riyaz, Kulsoom, 40, wife of Yousuf, Komal, 35, wife of Abdul Ghaffar, Rabia, 6, daughter of Abdul Ghaffar, Muskaan, 7, daughter of Imran, Samina, 35, wife of Imran, Adeel, 19, son of Abdul Ghaffar, Imran, 35, son of Yousuf, Perveen, 48, wife of Abdul Ghafoor and Bilqees, 34, wife of Abbas and others were now in stable condition.