Survivors of a deadly building collapse in Karachi that claimed 27 lives are struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones and their homes as they face an uncertain future. The five-storey structure, located in the densely populated Lyari district—home to many low-income families—collapsed on Friday, leaving behind a wreckage of twisted metal, broken concrete, and scattered personal items like schoolbooks, shoes, and sewing machines.

By Monday (July 7), rescue officials confirmed the death toll had risen to 27. Dozens of displaced residents have been moved to temporary shelters, including people from nearby buildings that were also evacuated over safety concerns. "I spent my entire life in that building. I knew every single person who lived there," said 28-year-old fisherman Imdad Hussain, who lost several neighbors, friends, and seven extended family members. Now staying with relatives, he expressed deep grief and uncertainty: "We've lost our home and our people. I don't know how we'll begin again."

Local authorities revealed that the collapsed building had received multiple evacuation warnings since 2023, the most recent in late June. Sindh’s Provincial Local Government Minister, Saeed Ghani, said that the Karachi commissioner has been instructed to inspect 51 other buildings deemed “extremely dangerous” to avoid future tragedies.

Eyewitnesses said the building began shaking violently before it crumbled, sending up a massive dust cloud. Rescue teams had been working at the site since Friday and concluded their search efforts by late Sunday. Officials said around 100 people from 12 families were living in the building, and nearly 50 more families were forced out of nearby apartments also declared unsafe.

Lakshmi, a school janitor who lived next door, recalled how her sister—who was inside the doomed building—called her just before it collapsed, saying the structure was trembling. Though her sister survived, Lakshmi feared the loss of gold jewelry she had entrusted to her for her daughter’s wedding. "We made it out alive, but everything else is lost. The future feels completely uncertain," she said.