One person lost his life when a section of an under-construction bridge gave way in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on Thursday. The incident took place near Baitul Mukarram Mosque and involved a structure linked to the city’s Bus Rapid Transit project.
Rescue 1122 teams confirmed that the deceased was on duty as a security guard at the construction site. When the concrete and steel framework suddenly collapsed, the man became trapped under the heavy debris. Emergency responders reached the location quickly and began careful recovery work. After several hours they managed to pull the body free. Officials later stated that the rescue operation had been completed and that no other workers or passers-by were found injured or still trapped.
The collapsed portion formed part of the ongoing Red Line BRT corridor. Construction crews had been working on elevated sections along University Road when the failure occurred. Authorities have not yet released an official cause, though safety questions are already being raised.
This latest accident adds to the long list of problems surrounding the Red Line project. Originally launched in 2022 with a target completion date of mid-2024, the scheme has suffered repeated delays. Lot 2, which runs from Mosamiyat to Numaish, has proved especially troublesome. The previous contractor was removed earlier this year after persistent under-performance, and the Frontier Works Organisation took over the remaining work in April. Even so, progress has remained slow.
Financial disputes, court cases over payments, and repeated stoppages have kept the timeline slipping. The Asian Development Bank, a key funding partner, has previously voiced concern about construction quality, health and safety standards, and environmental compliance on the same stretch. Local residents continue to face daily disruption, with narrowed lanes and heavy congestion on one of Karachi’s busiest routes.
The death of the duty guard is likely to intensify public scrutiny of site safety practices. Many citizens now wonder whether adequate protective measures were in place for workers on the elevated sections. City officials and project managers will come under pressure to explain what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented while the remaining work continues.
For ordinary Karachiites the BRT Red Line was meant to ease traffic and offer a modern public transport option. Instead it has become a symbol of delays, disputes and now a fatal collapse. Until clear answers and tighter safety controls appear, confidence in the project will remain low.
