Karachi’s Lyari Tragedy: Fatal Collapse of Fotan Mansion Exposes Unsafe Housing Crisis
Collapse of Dilapidated Building Shocks the City
On July 4, 2025, a five-storey residential building known as Fotan Mansion suddenly collapsed in Lyari’s Baghdadi neighbourhood around 10 a.m. The structure had been previously declared unsafe by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and received multiple evacuation notices. Despite these warnings, approximately 12 families—around 100 inhabitants—were still living there at the time of collapse.
Just moments after the collapse, emergency responders from Rescue 1122, Edhi Foundation, Chhipa Welfare, Rangers, and local police quickly arrived at the scene to begin rescue operations. Using heavy machinery and heartbeat detectors, they extracted 27 lifeless bodies—including 15 men, 9 women, and two children—within nearly 60 hours before declaring the site clear.
Personal Losses & Community Grief
Survivors were engulfed in sorrow and uncertainty. A fisherman in his late 20s shared how he lost seven relatives and childhood friends in the tragedy. A school janitor’s sister narrowly escaped but lost all her belongings, anxiously fearing the fate of precious gold kept in the apartment. Families now reside in temporary shelters or with relatives, uncertain about their future.
Authorities Under Scrutiny & Investigations Launched
Despite being deemed dangerous, the building was neither vacated nor disconnected from utilities. Although SBCA had issued evacuation notices in prior years, enforcement failed, and utilities remained connected.
Following the tragedy, eight SBCA officials and the building owner have been arrested and charged with criminal negligence, manslaughter, and public endangerment. Sindh Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry and placed SBCA Director General Ishaq Khuhro under suspension following the incident. The committee will inspect over 50 dangerously identified buildings in Lyari and advise demolition where needed.
Sindh authorities have pledged a phased evacuation and demolition plan covering 51 high-risk structures, while assessing over 700 buildings across Karachi to prevent more such calamities.
Government Aid & Compensation Measures
Sindh officials have announced:
- PKR 1 million for each deceased victim’s family
- PKR 300,000 for injured survivors
- Temporary housing in shelters, community centers, or hotels
- 80-yard land plots for affected families in Lyari as a form of permanent relocation
- Six months’ rent or assistance in resettling nearby
- Food rations and employment support via newly established helpline 1133
The Governor emphasized systemic reform and accountability, indicating that “changing faces won’t fix the system”.
Structural Crisis & Systemic Risk in Karachi
The incident has brought long-standing issues into sharp relief:
- Decades-old and poorly maintained structures remain occupied in densely populated areas
- More than 578 structures in Karachi have been declared hazardous, with District South alone accounting for 456 of these risky buildings.
- Weak governance and regulatory lapses, together with corruption, have made the city unsafe for its millions of residents
Pattern of collapses has persisted since 2017, including fatalities in previous incidents in Malir, Gulbahar, and Rizvia Society. Each tragedy highlights persistent governance failures.
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Resident Voices & Call for Justice
Tales from Lyari reflect a community torn apart. Families spoke of last-minute audible cracks before the collapse. One resident claimed he warned neighbours to evacuate but was only met with denial. Rescuers recovered both debris and valuables—such as buried cash and dozens of rickshaws.
In the face of disaster, Lyari’s residents showcased remarkable interfaith unity, as Muslim and Hindu community members joined hands in relief efforts—offering food, shelter, and emotional comfort. Despite this solidarity, the sorrow runs deep. “We lost our home, our loved ones—everything,” a survivor shared with grief.
What Lies Ahead?
The Lyari incident exposes Karachi’s desperate need for:
- Rigorous urban planning and enforcement of building codes
- Transparent and proactive SBCA functioning
- Early evacuation protocols matched with up-to-date registration of unsafe structures
- Temporary and permanent housing policies aligned with rebuilding trust among vulnerable citizens
A high-level inquiry panel has been directed to deliver its findings within 48 hours, recommending policy reform and preventive strategies before future calamities occur.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Collapse Date | July 4, 2025 |
| Location | Lyari, Baghdadi, Karachi |
| Building | Fotan Mansion, 5-storey |
| Lives Lost | 27 (including 2 children) |
| Rescue Duration | 60 hours |
| Missing Families | 12 families (~100 people) |
| Displaced Families | Nearly 50 nearby |
| Legal Action | 8 SBCA officials & owner arrested |
| Compensation | PKR 1M deceased / PKR 300K injured |
| Unsafe Buildings | 578 across Karachi |
| New Measures | Evictions, demolitions, housing aid |
The Fotan Mansion tragedy has sent shockwaves through Karachi, highlighting a systemic failure that demands urgent action. While compensation and rescue efforts bring immediate relief, long-term reform is essential to protect residents and restore trust in public institutions.
