Karachi police arrested the owner and administrative staff of a factory in Karachi associated with a tragic stampede that resulted in the deaths of approximately a dozen people and left several others injured.
The stampede occurred on Friday inside the factory’s premises at the Naurus intersection in Karachi’s SITE area, claiming the lives of at least 11 people and injuring five others. The incident occurred as people gathered to receive free food items, a common practice during Ramadan to assist those in need.
The case was filed at the SITE A police station by Sub-inspector Malik Asif Zia under Sections 322 (punishment for unintentional murder), 337H-2 (punishment for hurt by rash or negligent act), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). According to the initial report, the factory staff’s negligence led to the stampede during the distribution of rations, resulting in fatalities.
Read: Stampede during Zakat funds distribution in Karachi claims eight lives
The report mentioned that the stampede, which claimed the lives of women and children, occurred when the security guard opened the factory’s small gate to allow the crowd to enter for ration collection. Factory managers Islam and Jaseem had been distributing cash as Zakat on behalf of factory owner Abdul Khaliq for several years. The accused individuals include Khaliq, the two managers, and seven others.
Police confirmed that eight suspects, including the factory owner and managers, have been arrested. The incident occurred at a dyeing factory in the city’s industrial area. People gathered to collect rations for charity drives held every Ramadan in Karachi to support needy people.
Rescue and police officials reported that the deceased included eight women and three children. Additionally, six people fainted during the stampede. Police stated that a large number of people had gathered at the site where the rations were being distributed.
