Pakistan: Death toll in building collapse jumps to 27

Karachi, July 6 (IANS) The death toll in the building collapse in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi has jumped to 27 as rescuers retrieved more bodies, a spokesperson of the state-owned rescue organization Rescue 1122 said on Sunday.

Confirming the death toll, Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan, the operation's spokesperson, told Xinhua that rescue activities are in the final stage and most of the building debris has been removed.

He said at least 15 women and three children are among the victims, adding that three people are in critical condition.

Heavy machinery and modern equipment were employed to clear the debris during the operation, which continued for over 48 hours, reported Xinhua news agency.

According to local authorities, the collapsed structure was 30 years old and had been previously marked unsafe.

A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident.

A five-storey residential building collapsed in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Friday, killing seven people and leaving at least 10 injured, police officials said on July 4.

The police officials in the area told Xinhua that over 30 people were trapped under the debris after the building collapsed in the Lyari area of Karachi, and rescue efforts are underway to recover the remaining individuals.

The officials said that heavy machinery is being used to help in the removal of the rubble of the dilapidated building, which had already been marked unsafe by authorities, adding that the two adjoining buildings have also been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The eyewitnesses said that the building collapsed following several jolts that residents mistook for an earthquake, adding that it suddenly came crashing down after a couple of hours of intermittent shocks.

Following the incident, authorities cordoned off the area, and all the victims were shifted to a local hospital, where several people were said to be in critical condition.

--IANS

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