People search for victims in the rubble of a collapsed three-storey residential building in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Feb. 25, 2019. A three-storey residential building collapsed in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Monday, killing at least three people and leaving dozens trapped inside, local reports said. (Xinhua/Stringer)
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A three-storey residential building collapsed in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Monday, killing at least three people and leaving dozens trapped inside, local reports said.
According to police officials, some four families consisting of 25 to 35 members were living in the dilapidated building which was constructed about 30 years ago in the Malir area of Karachi, the provincial capital of southern Sindh province.
Following the incident, heavy contingents of the Pakistani Army, police and rescuers arrived at the scene and commenced a rescue operation. Heavy machinery was also called in to remove the rubble to recover people trapped inside.
At least three bodies have been retrieved from under the debris of the building while five injured survivors have been rescued so far, said rescue officials, adding that the casualties could further rise.
Local authorities said that the rescue teams were facing difficulties in conducting rescue operation due to the narrowness of adjoining streets leading to the collapsed building, and a big crowd of people gathered in the area.
Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed the authorities concerned to speed up the rescue operation and save human lives at all costs.
