Security Guard Killed as Red Line Bridge Structure Collapses in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Security Guard Killed as Red Line Bridge Structure Collapses in Gulshan-e-Iqbal
KARACHI: A security guard was killed on Thursday when part of an under-construction bridge collapsed near Bait-ul-Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Rescue 1122 officials said.
The guard, who was on duty at the construction site, was trapped under the debris when the structure gave way. Rescue teams reached the scene and recovered his body, which was taken to Jinnah Hospital for medico-legal procedures. His identity could not be immediately ascertained.
Officials said the rescue operation had been completed and no one else was found trapped under the rubble. The fallen structure formed part of Karachi’s Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The authorities have not announced what caused the collapse.
What caused the Gulshan-e-Iqbal bridge collapse?
So far, no official explanation has been given for why the structure gave way. Rescue authorities confirmed the collapsed section belonged to the BRT project, but the cause remains undetermined.
Traffic in the area was affected, with the road from Civic Centre towards NIPA temporarily closed while debris was cleared and repair work began.
A project long behind schedule
The incident has put the spotlight back on the Red Line project, which has struggled with delays for years. Launched in 2022 with a 30-month completion target, the project was meant to be ready by June 2024, but repeated setbacks have pushed it well beyond its deadline.
The Frontier Works Organisation resumed work on Lot 2 of the project along University Road in April after the authorities terminated the previous contractor’s contract over persistent delays and poor performance. Lot 2, covering the section between Mosamiyat and Numaish, has been the most troubled stretch, with prolonged suspensions last year over financial disputes between the contractor and the authorities that required court intervention before payments were cleared.
The Asian Development Bank, which is part of the project, has also raised concerns over the pace and quality of work as well as health, safety and environmental compliance, according to Geo News.
This is not the first safety controversy linked to the project. A citizen has approached the Malir Court seeking more than Rs172 million in damages over the death of his father, Shahid, in a road accident in January allegedly connected to Red Line construction. According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Shahid’s vehicle struck a concrete barrier placed on University Road at night that had no reflective markings, warning tape or proper signage. The petition alleges the project authorities and contractors failed to take adequate safety measures to protect road users.
The project is divided into two lots: Lot 1 runs from Airport signal to Mosamiyat, and Lot 2 from Mosamiyat to Numaish.
Where did the Gulshan-e-Iqbal bridge collapse happen?
The structure collapsed near Bait-ul-Mukarram Mosque in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal on Thursday. It was part of the Red Line BRT project.
Who was killed in the collapse?
A security guard on duty at the construction site was trapped under the debris and died. His identity had not been confirmed. No one else was injured or trapped.
What caused the Gulshan-e-Iqbal bridge collapse?
The authorities have not yet announced the cause. Rescue officials confirmed the collapsed structure belonged to the Red Line BRT project.
What is the Karachi Red Line BRT project?
A bus rapid transit project launched in 2022 to run about 27 kilometres from Malir Halt to Numaish via University Road. It was meant to be completed by June 2024 but has faced long delays and safety concerns.
