21 DIE IN KARACHI BUILDING COLLAPSE

Rescue workers search for people trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building in Karachi
http://muqadma.com/2009/aug/02-08-2009/
KARCHI: The death toll in Karachi building collapse rose to 14, as the rescue work is still in progress at the site in the Mithadar police limits late Friday night.

The rescue operation was hindered tremendously, as lane, where building was located, was narrow.

A five-storey building located at Kamil street situated near Mithadar area of Karachi collapsed with a loud explosion late on Friday night killing three members of a family Jameela 50, her son Muhammad Ahmad 3, daughter Sadia 22, Salma 18 and another person Shoaib 24.

According to local residents, at least 20 families were dwelling at the ill-fated building. At least 50 people are feared to be still trapped under the rubble.

Fire brigade, rescue workers, Edhi Foundation volunteers, town administration and locals rushed to the site soon; but, narrow lane created hindrance in rescue operation. As the narrow streets were impassable for the City Government’s heavy machinery, the local people jump-started the relief and rescue activities on their own.
Saturday August 1,2009

A five-story building collapsed in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, killing at least 21 people, mostly women and children, authorities said.

Local Mayor Mohammad Dilawar, who was supervising the rescue work, said the building caved in late on Friday in the congested Lea Market neighbourhood.

A district government official, Masood Alam, said 21 bodies had been retrieved from the debris and that the toll could rise further.

"We have so far removed almost half of the rubble," he said.

Rescue teams were having trouble moving through the narrow streets in the area.

The building apparently was weakened by heavy monsoon rains, Mr Dilawar said.

Karachi, a city of more than 16 million people, has an ageing infrastructure and a poor drainage system.