Inflation, chaotic free flour distribution cause stampedes in Pakistan
1 min read 02 Apr 2023, 06:54 AM ISTHeart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at the mortuary of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on Friday as the bodies of those who had been killed in the stampede in a SITE factory were lying over stretchers and the relatives were mourning the deaths.
PremiumMultiple stampede incidents have been taking place in crisis-hit Pakistan due to the unorganized distribution of free flour which led to the death of various inflation-hit people, who gathered to collect food during the holy month of Ramadan.
A large number of inflation-hit people gathered at a factory to collect flour but due to the stampede, most of them, reached the mortuary in the end, according to a report published by Dawn.
Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at the mortuary of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on Friday as the bodies of those who had been killed in the stampede in a SITE factory were lying over stretchers and the relatives were mourning the deaths. People were putting the bodies of their loved ones in ambulances and taking them home for funerals.
Sadly, the inflation and ill distribution of free flour caused the deaths of various people. Perspiring profusely due to nervousness, he said that it was because of skyrocketing inflation in the country that she had gone there to collect free flour.
On Friday, in Karachi, at least 12 people have been killed, including 9 women in the stampede during a ration distribution drive in a factory on Friday, Geo News reported.
According to rescue officials and police authorities in the region, three children were killed as well. Six people passed out during the stampede, rescuers. Police officers said that a sizable crowd had gathered at the location while the ration was being handed.
Rescue officials informed that they also received reports of a fire caused by a petrol leak at the factory. They also discovered water in the narrow streets, which appears to indicate that factory workers attempted to put out the fire.
After the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Friday night announced ₹500,000 compensation for the legal heirs of each deceased of the SITE stampede. He also announced ₹100,000 for each injured person, Dawn reported.
The CM directed the chief secretary to get details about the deceased and injured immediately for the distribution of compensation among them.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also said that the factory management did not inform the police or district administration about the distribution of charity.
(With ANI inputs)
