• Death toll from the Karachi building collapse rises to 27, with several missing.
• Rescue operations concluded after three days of intensive search efforts.
• The building was reportedly constructed without the necessary approvals.
• Authorities have declared over 480 buildings in the area as unsafe.
• Government plans to assist affected families in finding alternative housing.

Rescue teams have concluded operations following the collapse of a five-storey building in Karachi’s impoverished Lyari neighbourhood, resulting in a tragic death toll of 27 people. The collapse occurred around 10 a.m. on Friday, shocking local residents who reported hearing cracking sounds just before the structure failed, according to reports from SCMP and India Times.

As rescue operations wrapped up, authorities stated that a total of 27 bodies had been recovered, including nine women and three children, with ten individuals successfully treated for injuries and discharged from the hospital. The bodies were transported to Civil Hospital Karachi, as confirmed by Dawn and Channel News Asia.

Investigations into the building's collapse revealed it was reportedly constructed just months prior without the necessary approvals. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized the need for strict actions against unauthorized construction while advocating for public awareness regarding building safety, as highlighted by Dawn and India Times.

During the operation, challenges emerged, including inadequate coordination among rescue teams and resistance from distraught family members who refrained from leaving the site despite safety concerns, reported Dawn and Channel News Asia. The government has since identified over 480 unsafe buildings in the surrounding districts, prompting a plan to assist displaced residents in finding alternative housing.

In light of this tragic event, the need for stringent building regulations and enforcement mechanisms is more evident than ever, especially amidst the reality of poverty that forces many into unsafe structures, according to findings from Dawn and India Times.