KARACHI -Police on Friday submitted a preliminary investigation report to the court regarding the tragic building collapse in Karachi’s Baghdadi area of Lyari, holding 14 individuals — including six directors of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) — responsible for the incident that claimed 27 lives.
The police report said that the ground-plus-five-storey building was constructed in 1986 and was divided into two sections. Both portions had been in a dangerously dilapidated condition for several years. Despite this, the structure remained occupied.
The report stated that SBCA officials were aware of the building’s deteriorating state since 2022 but failed to take any serious action. One portion of the 20-flat building eventually collapsed due to what police have termed as “criminal negligence” on the part of the authority.
“Despite having knowledge of the risks, SBCA officers did not initiate timely and appropriate measures,” the report said. “Their negligence and carelessness directly contributed to the collapse.”
The report formally accuses 14 individuals, including six senior SBCA officials, of gross misconduct and failure to fulfil their duties.
At least 27 people were killed and four others injured after a building collapsed on July 4, 2025 in the Baghdadi area of Lyari. The rescue operations continued for hours as emergency responders searched through the rubble for survivors.
The incident sparked renewed criticism of the SBCA and raised concerns over lax enforcement of building safety regulations in Karachi, where several similar tragedies have occurred in recent years.
The court is likely to begin proceedings based on the findings of the police report while the pressure mounts on the authorities to take decisive action against those responsible.
Sindh to demolish dangerous buildings in Karachi as Lyari incident claims 27 lives
