KARACHI: A construction worker was killed after part of an under-construction bridge collapsed near Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal on Thursday.
Rescue 1122 officials said the victim was working as a duty guard at the site when the structure collapsed and trapped him beneath the debris.
Rescue teams launched an operation and recovered his body from the rubble.
Officials confirmed that the operation had been completed. They said no other casualties were reported and no one remained trapped under the debris.
Rescue authorities said the collapsed structure was part of Karachi’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. They did not immediately disclose what caused the collapse.
Red Line BRT Project Faces Repeated Delays
The incident has raised fresh concerns about safety at construction sites as Karachi’s Red Line BRT project continues to face delays and execution challenges.
The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) resumed work on Lot 2 along University Road in April. Authorities had terminated the previous contractor’s contract over repeated delays and unsatisfactory performance.
Launched in 2022, the project had a 30-month completion target. It was originally scheduled to finish by June 2024, but repeated setbacks have pushed it well beyond the deadline.
The Red Line project is divided into two sections:
- Lot 1: Airport Signal to Mosamiyat
- Lot 2: Mosamiyat to Numaish
Lot 2, the larger section, has faced several setbacks, including work stoppages and disputes between the contractor and authorities.
The Asian Development Bank, which is involved in the project, has also raised concerns about construction speed, quality and compliance with health, safety and environmental requirements, according to Geo News.
Construction on Lot 2 was suspended for extended periods last year amid financial disputes. The matter required court intervention before payments were cleared.
Meanwhile, Karachi residents continue to face disrupted routes and heavy traffic congestion because of the stalled work.
The latest collapse is likely to intensify questions about construction-site safety and oversight as authorities continue work on the major transport project.
