Death toll rises to 21 in Pakistan building collapse as rescue continues

The death toll from a collapsed residential building in southern Pakistan has climbed to 21 as rescuers continue searching for survivors into the second day.

Officials said 10 more bodies were pulled from the rubble overnight. Several injured people are being treated in hospital, according to a statement from the government-run Civil Hospital.

Heavy machinery is being used to find at least eight more people believed trapped under the debris, local media and emergency officials reported.

Residents say the building was on a narrow street, making it difficult to bring in equipment. Footage showed rescue workers removing rubble as relatives of missing people prayed and waited anxiously.

Building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poor construction standards and use of substandard materials. Safety regulations are often ignored to cut costs.

A similar collapse in Karachi in June 2020 killed 22 people.

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