Sukkur building collapse: army called in to aid in rescue operation

SUKKUR: The number of dead in the city's building collapse on Thursday rose to three as relief operations were underway to rescue those trapped under the rubble.

The deceased include a minor girl and a woman, the city's deputy commissioner Rana Adeel, said.

12 people have been pulled out of the rubble so far, while nine of them — including two minors — were shifted to the Civil Hospital Sukkur, Adeel said.

Further, Rangers and Army personnel have reached the site and were carrying out the rescue operation, Adeel added, noting that heavy machinery to lift the rubble had been brought in.

Orders to evacuate the buildings in the surrounding areas was also issued while all hospitals in the city were put on high-alert, the DC said. He also refuted the claims of the area's residents — who had said two or three families lived here — and clarified that only one family resided in the building and four brothers lived there with their families.

Earlier, it was reported that the rescue mission faced severe issues as the area was dimly-lit. The collapse had damaged an 11KV electric wire that provided electricity to the area.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also took notice of the incident and ordered Sukkur Commissioner to immediately provide medical aid to the wounded people.

Shah also advised the authorities to provide a report explaining the cause of collapse.