KARACHI: Deputy Commissioner-South Tabraiz Sadiq Marri on Monday sealed five restaurants at Do Darya in DHA Phase-VIII following collapse of the wooden structure of an abandoned eatery there because of incessant rains.

The portions of the five restaurants — Kolachi, Kababjees, Al-Habib, Al-Sajjad and Charcol — built over sea were sealed to avoid any untoward incident.

“The restaurants have been sealed till verification of their structures and issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the engineering department of the Defence Housing Authority,” the DC said.

He said that the collapsed eatery had been closed for a considerable period of time. No casualties were reported in the incident.

According to officials and witnesses, when the structure of the abandoned restaurant collapsed earlier in the day, a few people fell in the seawater, but they were rescued.

“A restaurant at Do Darya collapsed and there were no casualties,” said South-SSP Asad Raza. He added the police rushed to the spot after receiving information on Madadgar-15. The police were informed that the restaurant had been closed for the past 12 years.

Another officer, Darakshan ASP Rana Mohammed Dilawar, said: “A hotel named Qahwati situated at Do Darya, which had been closed for a long time, was collapsed due to ongoing torrential rains.”

Videos clips being shared on social media also showed that the restaurant collapsed and its wooden structure fell in the seawater. A few people can be seen being rescued by people.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2022