At least 10 women and children were injured on Sunday night when a speeding vehicle crashed into a gathering near an Imambargah in DHA Phase VI within the jurisdiction of the Darakhshan police station.
According to police and rescue officials, the incident occurred at around 10:10pm near the Imambargah Baqiyatullah where people were attending a meeting. A vehicle suddenly veered off the road and rammed into the crowd, causing panic and injuring several individuals. Rescue teams and Edhi ambulances rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medical treatment.
Hospital sources confirmed that the injured included women and children. The injured were identified as Fatima, 18, daughter of Muhammad Akram; Mehnaz, 20, daughter of Shahbaz Hussain; Shazia, 45; Aman Fatima, 5, daughter of Zafar; Mumtaz Bibi, 40, wife of Zafar; Sheherbano, 22, daughter of Arbab Ali; Kausar Parveen, 32, wife of Liaquat Bakhsh; Zaneefah, 9, daughter of Akram; Ayat, 3, daughter of Majid Kokar; and Irshad Bibi, 45, wife of Akram.
Earlier reports from rescue officials had put the number of injured at eight, but hospital sources later confirmed that 10 people had sustained injuries in the incident. South DIG Asad Raza said initial investigations suggested that the accident may have occurred due to brake failure. He added that four individuals who were travelling in the vehicle had been taken into police custody for questioning.
Police officials stated that the vehicle first struck barricades installed near the Imambargah before ploughing into the gathering. Law enforcement personnel immediately secured the area and launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to the crash.
Authorities said statements of witnesses were being recorded and the mechanical condition of the vehicle would also be examined as part of the investigation. Further legal action would be taken in light of the findings.
The condition of the injured was reported to be stable. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Karachi additional IGP.
