A look at Karachi's building collapses in recent years

KARACHI: The tragic pattern of building collapses in Karachi shows no sign of stopping, with dozens of lives lost since 2017. Despite recurring disasters, administrative oversight, poor enforcement, and a lack of timely action continue to endanger lives across the city.

The deadly incidents are largely linked to illegal and dilapidated buildings, many of which have long been declared unsafe but remain occupied due to weak implementation by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).

A look at recent years reveals a grim timeline:

July 2017: A three-storey residential building in Liaquatabad collapsed, killing five and injuring nine. Two nearby buildings were later declared dangerous and ordered to be demolished.

February 2019: A four-storey structure in Malir's Jafar-e-Tayyar Society came down. Two bodies were recovered, and dozens rescued.

March 2020, Golimar (Gulbahar): One of the worst incidents, where 27 people died and over 50 were injured in a major structural failure.

June 2020: A five-storey building in Lyari collapsed, claiming 22 lives. Most of the victims remained unidentified.

September 2020, Korangi Allahwala Town: Another collapse killed two people and injured six, including women and children.

September 2020, Lyari: A second building collapse that year in the same area killed two labourers and injured 12. The SBCA evacuated an adjacent building.

October 2023, Shah Faisal Colony: A partially constructed building collapsed, leaving four dead and four injured.

June 2025, Kharadar: The roof and staircase of a six-storey building caved in. Luckily, no fatalities occurred, and 22 people were safely rescued.

July 2025, Lyari: A six-storey building collapses and kills more than 10 people. 

These recurring tragedies have cast a harsh spotlight on the SBCA's ineffective role, with actions often limited to notices and warnings instead of enforcement and evacuation. Experts and residents blame a mix of poor construction standards, illegal developments, and delayed responses for the continued loss of life.

The continued collapse of buildings in Karachi raises urgent questions about governance, accountability, and disaster prevention in one of Pakistan’s most densely populated cities.