Karachi stampede toll mounts to 18

Eighteen women and children were crushed and suffocated to death due to stampede during free distribution of ration in Khori Garden area here on Monday.

Like previous years, the ration was distributed free this year too by a trader Chaudhry Iftikhar in a densely populated area of Khori Garden in Jodia Bazar where hundreds of women had come for ration collection.

But the crowed went out of control running over one another in an attempt to collect the ration which led to a stampede and as a result 18 people including women and children died of suffocation and crush injuries.

The bodies and injured were taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi.

According to CCPO Karachi, Wasim Ahmed confirmed 18 deaths quoting the medico legal officer of the Civil Hospital.

The CCPO said that adequate arrangements were not in place at the distribution point while police was also not informed about the program.

The Karachi police chief said that trader Chaudhry Iftikhar has been arrested and it will be determined after proper investigation as to what extent the responsibility of the incident falls on him.

Meanwhile, taking notice of the incident President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah ordered for submission of investigation report. Directives have also been given for provision of best medical facilities to the wounded.