Life and death

Like on any other day, Ismail Abdul Lohar and six of his colleagues were on Friday doing what they did at that hour of the morning: unloading potatoes from the transport vehicle to their shop. But this Friday was different. Around 1.30am, just after they had finished with the unloading, and were taking a break that things happened.

“We were sitting on the platform across the building, when suddenly we heard a noise and saw the building tilt to the station side. I and my colleagues ran and entered the building and started knocking on doors to alert the residents. The six of us split into two teams of three each and went from floor to floor. Residents who woke up ran out but there were some who were in deep sleep and reacted very late...

“A family of eight residing on the first floor was fast asleep and when they eventually woke up and tried to come out it was already too late. When Makdoom Ali Shaikh who was holding his two kids in his arms reached the staircase a slab from the staircase above him fell on them.” said Lohar, his voice petering away.