18 Injured as Vehicle Rams Karachi Imambargah
A speeding pick-up crashed into mourners outside an Imambargah in DHA Karachi on June 21, injuring at least 18 people, mostly women and children. Police have detained the driver while Mayor Murtaza Wahab and CM Murad Ali Shah visited the injured at JPMC.
Karachi witnessed a tragic incident on the night of June 21, when a speeding Suzuki pick-up truck crashed into a religious gathering, or majlis, outside the Masjid-o-Imam Bargah Baqiyatullah in the city's Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI
According to police, the vehicle went out of control, possibly due to brake failure, and smashed through security barricades on Saba Avenue before plowing into a tent where mourners had gathered. The crash resulted in injuries to at least 11 to 18 people, with many of the victims being women and children. The injured were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment. Among the identified injured were a five-year-old girl named Iman, Shazia, 45, Maheem Akram, 30, and 22-year-old Shaherbano.
The driver and two other occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody by police for questioning. While the driver claimed the crash was due to brake failure, authorities are investigating all angles, including the possibility of negligence or drug use. The incident caused panic, with an unconfirmed bomb scare further frightening attendees before police confirmed there was no terrorist element involved
In the aftermath, several high-profile officials visited the injured at JPMC to offer their support and monitor the situation. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the hospital and the imambargah, confirming the number of injured and that two victims were in critical condition. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also took notice of the incident, directing authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and ordering a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.