KARACHI: The latest incident in which people lost their lives in search of free food occurred on Friday, when there was a stampede inside the premises of a factory at the Naurus intersection in Karachi’s SITE district, resulting in at least 11 deaths and several injuries.
As part of the charity drives that Karachhites hold every Ramadan to help the needy, people were gathered at a dyeing factory in the city’s industrial area when the incident happened. Eight women and three children were among those killed in the incident, according to rescuers and police officials. According to rescue sources, six other people passed out during the stampede. Police officials reported that a large crowd had gathered at the location when the ration was being distributed.
A lot of people who died, as per rescue sources, fell into a nullah at the factory. Also, eyewitnesses told the media outlet that people were called for Zakat distribution.
Updating about the number of deceased individuals, Edhi sources said that nine bodies were taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, while two were taken to the Civil Hospital.
All deceased, according to the Edhi sources, brought to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital were women among which three were younger girls, Faisal Edhi said. The police informed that 15 injured were shifted to both hospitals.
Taking notice of the incident Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori has sought a report from the Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon. The governor also expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Mughees Hashmi, speaking to journalists, said that the area police confirmed that the incident took place because of a stampede, adding that the local police station was not informed prior to the distribution.
The SP said that seven people have been arrested so far and an investigation has been initiated.
Fearing that the death toll is likely to increase, he revealed that during the stampede water line also burst which fueled the situation.
