Karachi A somber and heart wrenching scene unfolded in the Lyari neighborhood of Karachi as the funeral prayers were held for 20 deceased Hindu individuals who tragically lost their lives in the recent building collapse incident The entire community was plunged into grief following the devastating accident which has once again brought to the forefront the issue of crumbling infrastructure and unsafe residential buildings in the city .
Details of the Incident
The fatal accident took place in the densely populated Lyari area known for its narrow alleys and old residential structures According to local reports a decades old building collapsed suddenly “trapping dozens of residents under the rubble Rescue operations were launched immediately with the involvement of emergency services local volunteers and law enforcement agencies However despite their relentless efforts 20 lives were lost in this tragic incident all belonging to the local Hindu community .
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crashing sound followed by clouds of dust engulfing the area Within moments the building turned into a heap of debris with neighbors rushing to rescue those trapped inside Many residents of the area described the scene as horrifying and said that the entire locality trembled as the building collapsed .
Funeral Ceremony Held Amid Tears and Grief
The funeral rites for the 20 deceased individuals were conducted with deep sorrow as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects The ceremony was marked by heartbreaking scenes of relatives crying over the coffins of their loved ones Community elders religious leaders and social workers were present to console the grieving families .
The bodies were placed side by side as religious rituals were performed in accordance with Hindu customs Floral garlands and incense were offered and prayers were recited for the departed souls The atmosphere was filled with mourning as chants echoed through the area and many expressed their anger over the negligence of authorities responsible for maintaining building safety .
Calls for Accountability and Justice
The incident has sparked outrage within the community and across the city Residents and community leaders have “demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse and strict action against those found guilty of negligence Many alleged that the building had shown visible signs of damage for months but no action was taken by the concerned authorities despite repeated complaints .
Speaking to the media several community leaders accused the municipal authorities of ignoring their pleas This was not just an accident it was a result of criminal negligence said one of the mourners If the authorities had acted in time these innocent lives could have been saved .
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Government Response
In the wake of the tragedy officials from the city government and the Sindh provincial administration visited the site and met with the affected families The Chief Minister of Sindh expressed his condolences and announced that a committee has been formed to investigate the incident thoroughly .
Financial compensation for the affected families was also announced According to the government statement compensation packages will be provided to the heirs of the deceased and those injured in the incident Additionally efforts are being initiated to relocate the displaced residents to safer accommodations .
Growing Concerns Over Unsafe Buildings
The Lyari building collapse has once again highlighted the alarming state of many old residential buildings in Karachi particularly in neighborhoods like Lyari Saddar and Kharadar where many structures are decades old and vulnerable to collapse . Experts have repeatedly warned about the risks posed by aging infrastructure urging the government to carry out structural audits and rehabilitation projects However little progress has been made on the ground leading to recurring incidents such as this one . As Karachi mourns the lives lost in thistragic accident the community continues to demand lasting solutions to prevent such heartbreaking events in the future The Lyari building collapse stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for reforms in urban planning building safety and disaster management across the city
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