A tragic roof collapse at Ghani Mansion in Karachi’s Lyari Khada Market claimed two lives and injured three others on July 17, 2025, intensifying concerns about the city’s aging infrastructure. The incident follows a deadly building collapse in the same area earlier this month, prompting urgent action to address hazardous structures.
The collapse occurred at a six-storey residential building near Bilal Masjid Peshawari Hotel, where the top floor’s roof caved in onto the fifth floor. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan reported that the dilapidated building’s condition contributed to the accident, with laborers working on the roof at the time of the collapse. The operation was completed swiftly, with the deceased—two sisters—and three injured individuals, including their daughters, transported to Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital for treatment, as confirmed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (South) Asad Raza.
This incident comes on the heels of a catastrophic collapse in Lyari’s Lea Market on July 4, which killed 27 people and injured 10. The earlier tragedy exposed systemic issues, with the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) identifying 588 hazardous buildings citywide, including 456 in District South and 107 in Lyari alone. Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani revealed that 44 dilapidated buildings, including 10 heritage structures, have been vacated for demolition, with 68 labeled “highly dilapidated” prioritized for urgent action. The SBCA’s director-general was suspended, and a high-level committee formed to investigate negligence and ensure transparency.
The recurring collapses highlight Karachi’s challenges with poor construction, lax regulations, and aging infrastructure. Authorities are intensifying efforts to evacuate and demolish unsafe buildings, but residents face difficult choices between relocation and safety. The provincial government has pledged Rs1 million in compensation for families of the deceased and is reviewing SBCA protocols to prevent future tragedies.
