Most Lyari victims belong to Hindu community
According to rescuers and community leaders, more than 20 Meghwar families lived in the building when it came crashing down early Friday morning. By Saturday evening, the bodies of 16 people, including 25-year-old Rohit and his wife Geeta, had been retrieved. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with at least four more people believed to be missing.
The final rites for the victims will be held at Kutchi Hall in Old Kumharwara, while burial will take place in the Hindu graveyard near Mowach Goth. Contrary to the widespread Hindu tradition, the Meghwar community doesn't practice cremation; instead, they bury their dead.
The tragedy has plunged the tight-knit community into mourning. Most of the victims are said to belong to the same extended family. Their bodies have been placed in cold storage at Bilquis Edhi Maternity Home on Moosa Lane, while grieving relatives have gathered at the nearby Muslim Kutchi Jamaat Khana.
Community spokesperson Reema Maheshwari confirmed that the burials would take place on Sunday. "This is a heartbreaking loss. Entire families have been wiped out," she told The Express Tribune. "We urge the authorities to support us during this difficult time."
The deceased have been identified as Dayalal Shivji, Prabai Kishan Sondha, Prantik Harsi Sondha, Prem Kishan Sondha, Vandana Kailash, Archana Vishal, Kishan Dayalal, Ayush Jamna Das, Shani Jamna Vanjora, Kailash Jamna Vanjora, Usha Kailash, Prakash Shivji, Chetan Shivji, Rohit, and Geeta.
Lakshman Moraj Bagra, President of the Kutchi Maheshwari Meghwar Panchayat, described the incident as "a catastrophe beyond words". "Families that were once vibrant and full of life have now been buried under concrete," he said, calling on the government to ensure proper rehabilitation of the affected families.
Bagra also confirmed that two women injured in the collapse are under treatment in hospital. He added that while some residents had managed to escape when signs of structural instability appeared, others who returned to collect belongings were caught in the collapse.
Maharaj Ram Nath, the chief pontiff at the Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, expressed sorrow over the tragedy and extended solidarity with the bereaved families. "This tragedy has shaken our entire community. The government must ensure that the survivors are provided alternative shelter and long-term support," he said while speaking to The Express Tribune.
Rescue operations are ongoing amid fears that more bodies may still be trapped under the debris. A formal investigation into the cause of the building collapse is yet to be announced.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Death toll rises to 27 in Lyari building collapse, rescue efforts ongoing
Rescuers scramble through rubble after a multi-storey residential building crumbles in Karachi, raising fresh questions over construction standards. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS Listen to article A five-storey structurally unstable building in Baghdad Colony, Lyari, collapsed more than 48 hours ago, leaving at least 27 people dead, officials said on Sunday. Dr Sabir Memon, Executive Director of Benazir Bhutto Trauma Center, confirmed the death toll. One injured person remains under treatment at the hospital. According to Rescue 1122 officials, the deceased include nine women, 15 men, a 10-year-old boy, and an 18-month-old girl identified as Muqaddas. Another deceased was identified as Shoaib by family members. Many of the deceased belong to the Hindu community. As more debris was cleared, more deceased were retrieved from under the rubble. Rescue teams, assisted by scanning equipment, are continuing efforts to locate more survivors or deceased. During the operation, cash, cheques and jewellery were recovered from three separate locations and handed over to the local union council chairperson. The Edhi Foundation confirmed that the deceased have been transferred to the cold storage facility at Lyari Musa Lane. South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khosa told The Express Tribune that operations are being carried out with utmost care to avoid endangering anyone trapped alive. He noted that the densely populated area has made rescue work difficult. But the teams are equipped with advanced technology, he added. Rescue workers have employed sniffer dogs and heavy machinery as they search the rubble. Resident volunteers along with the police are assisting in the search operation. Read: Most Lyari building collapse victims belong to Hindu community Structural damage Another seven-storey residential building in Lyari's Agra Taj Colony was evacuated late Saturday night after a joint operation by the district administration, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the police. The building was declared dangerous after signs of structural leaning were identified. Severe cracks had appeared in the structure after the recent monsoon spell. Read more: Hope fades as Lyari building collapse toll hits 23 An inspection by SBCA engineers declared the building uninhabitable, prompting emergency evacuation. The residents resisted at first but agreed to leave after successful negotiations. According to South Deputy Commissioner, the building housed 12 flats with 57 residents from 11 families. The building has now been sealed, its power supply has been disconnected and the water tank has been demolished to prevent further danger. 'Unfit for living' Speaking to Express News, Lyari Municipal Officer Hammad ND Khan said that the Sindh government has decided to evacuate all hazardous buildings in Lyari. He said that a formal operation will be decided on Monday during a meeting chaired by the Sindh chief minister. It is expected that all dangerous buildings will be evacuated in phases and demolished. He added that the provincial government will develop a policy to provide alternative housing for the residents of these unsafe structures. Arrangements for temporary accommodation have been made in community centres and hotels for the victims of the collapsed and evacuated buildings, he said. However, most of the affected residents have chosen to stay with their relatives or on-site, he said, adding that TMC Lyari is providing food and other necessities for them. According to Khan, the rescue operation is likely to be end on Sunday. Legal action will be taken under the law against all those involved in illegal constructions in Lyari, he said. One affected woman said the temporary shelter at a KMC school in Lyari was "unfit for living". Demanding accountability for endangered lives, affected residents have accused SBCA officials of accepting bribes, both during and after the building's construction, and ignoring clear violations. After the evacuation, SBCA registered a case at Kalri Police Station against the builder and an unnamed contractor. The FIR states that substandard materials and illegal construction methods were used, putting residents' lives at serious risk, thereby necessitating the sealing of the building. The deputy commissioner said that if any government officials are found complicit in the building's construction, legal action will also be taken against them. He added that residents will be supported in recovering their financial losses from the builder.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Most Lyari victims belong to Hindu community
Most victims of Friday's building collapse in Lyari's Baghdadi area belong to the Kutchi Maheshwari Meghwar Hindu community, The Express Tribune has learnt. At least 16 members of the community have died in the tragic collapse of the five-storey derelict apartment building, while more are still feared trapped beneath the rubble. According to rescuers and community leaders, more than 20 Meghwar families lived in the building when it came crashing down early Friday morning. By Saturday evening, the bodies of 16 people, including 25-year-old Rohit and his wife Geeta, had been retrieved. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with at least four more people believed to be missing. The final rites for the victims will be held at Kutchi Hall in Old Kumharwara, while burial will take place in the Hindu graveyard near Mowach Goth. Contrary to the widespread Hindu tradition, the Meghwar community doesn't practice cremation; instead, they bury their dead. The tragedy has plunged the tight-knit community into mourning. Most of the victims are said to belong to the same extended family. Their bodies have been placed in cold storage at Bilquis Edhi Maternity Home on Moosa Lane, while grieving relatives have gathered at the nearby Muslim Kutchi Jamaat Khana. Community spokesperson Reema Maheshwari confirmed that the burials would take place on Sunday. "This is a heartbreaking loss. Entire families have been wiped out," she told The Express Tribune. "We urge the authorities to support us during this difficult time." The deceased have been identified as Dayalal Shivji, Prabai Kishan Sondha, Prantik Harsi Sondha, Prem Kishan Sondha, Vandana Kailash, Archana Vishal, Kishan Dayalal, Ayush Jamna Das, Shani Jamna Vanjora, Kailash Jamna Vanjora, Usha Kailash, Prakash Shivji, Chetan Shivji, Rohit, and Geeta. Lakshman Moraj Bagra, President of the Kutchi Maheshwari Meghwar Panchayat, described the incident as "a catastrophe beyond words". "Families that were once vibrant and full of life have now been buried under concrete," he said, calling on the government to ensure proper rehabilitation of the affected families. Bagra also confirmed that two women injured in the collapse are under treatment in hospital. He added that while some residents had managed to escape when signs of structural instability appeared, others who returned to collect belongings were caught in the collapse. Maharaj Ram Nath, the chief pontiff at the Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, expressed sorrow over the tragedy and extended solidarity with the bereaved families. "This tragedy has shaken our entire community. The government must ensure that the survivors are provided alternative shelter and long-term support," he said while speaking to The Express Tribune. Rescue operations are ongoing amid fears that more bodies may still be trapped under the debris. A formal investigation into the cause of the building collapse is yet to be announced.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Preparations for Muharram in full swing in Lahore's Lohari Gate
Listen to article In Lahore's historic walled city, particularly around Lohari Gate, preparations for Muharram are in full swing with artisans devoting themselves to crafting ceremonial ornaments used in religious processions. Items such as the Alam, Tazia, Zarih and Shabeeh-e-Zuljanah are being meticulously handmade each holding deep spiritual and cultural meaning for Shia mourners during the sacred month. Demand for these symbolic artifacts surges in the lead-up to Muharram, though orders are placed throughout the year. Many of the craftsmen have inherited the trade from earlier generations, preserving the intricate techniques that give these items their distinctive identity. Among them is Mukhtar Ahmad, a veteran artisan, who has been handcrafting Muharram ornaments for over four decades. 'There was a time when these pieces were made with pure gold and silver,' he told The Express Tribune. 'Due to cost, brass is more common now, but every piece is still made entirely by hand.' Photo: Asif Mehmood Mukhtar Ahmad noted that while Chinese manufacturers have begun mass-producing some ceremonial items, the detailed artistry required in these particular ornaments remains beyond automation. 'If they ever start making these as well, we'll have no work left,' he said with concern. Photo: Asif Mehmood The cost of a complete set of ornaments for a Shabeeh-e-Zuljanah can reach PKR 100,000, and prices rise significantly for custom designs in silver or gold finishes. Despite the cost, devotees often insist on handcrafted pieces to honour their religious traditions. 'This is not just craftsmanship,' said Sabt Hasan, a local mourner. 'The Alam represents the bravery of Hazrat Abbas (RA), the Tazia commemorates the martyrs of Karbala, the Zarih symbolises reverence for Imam Hussain (RA), and the cradle reminds us of Hazrat Ali Asghar (RA). These are sacred emblems of love, not mere decorations.' Photo: Asif Mehmood In Lohari Gate, workshops are bustling with activity. The sound of hammers, the gleam of ornaments, and heartfelt conversations about devotion create an atmosphere unique to this time of year. Artisans work around the clock to ensure timely delivery of orders before key processions. The tradition of crafting ceremonial ornaments for Muharram is not only a cultural heritage of Lahore but also a living legacy. Each year, it is revived with renewed passion. The dedication, skill, and faith of these artisans serve as a reminder that Muharram is not only a time of mourning but also a period of spiritual reflection, cultural continuity, and collective remembrance.
