Death toll from Karachi building collapse rises to 17 as police continue investigation.

Byline: Qazi Hassan

The death toll from a five-storey building collapse in Karachi's Gulbahar area rose to 17 on Friday after rescue services recovered the bodies of three more victims, including a one-year-old baby.

On Thursday, the residential building had fallen on two adjacent structures, bringing them to the ground as well.

Earlier today, a case was registered at Karachi's Rizvia Police Station in the state's name against the building owner, includes clauses 322 (causing death without intention), 119 (Qisas), 337 (causing bodily harm), 427 (mischief causing material damage) and 190 (aiding and abetting) of the Pakistan Penal Code. So far, no arrests have been made and Additional Inspector General of Police Karachi, Ghulam Nabi Memon said that the police were waiting for the findings of the inquiry committee.

Yesterday, 17 injured were rescued from the site. Rescue workers retrieved the bodies and the injured from the debris of the collapsed buildings after cutting through iron rods.

Rizvia police said the multi-storey buildings were located in Phool Wali Gali in Gulbahar-1.

Officials said they faced immense difficulty in getting access to the area as it was a highly congested locality where even the streets were impassable. Ambulances were parked at some distance in another street. The wounded persons were taken to different hospitals of the city.

In order to avoid more damage to life and property, officials ordered for nearby buildings to be vacated.

People from the area told the media that the five-storey 'Fatima' building was constructed around three years ago and a sixth floor was being added when the building came down. Four families were living in the building.

Rescue officials said it appeared that the concrete structure and pillars of the building were weak.

SBCA sources told Dawn...