6 killed as tempest wreaks havoc

Victims were asleep when heavy storm, rain lashed provincial capital

LAHORE:

At least six people died and seven others were injured in rain-related accidents in the provincial capital.

The victims also included women and children. The first case was reported in Nishter Colony at midnight as the rain and heavy storm started after days of scorching heat.

Reportedly, the family of a citizen Shabbir Ahmad was asleep on the rooftop of his house situated in Awan Market, Bank Stop. A 50-year-old woman, who came to visit their place as a guest, also fell victim to the tempest.

All the victims were in deep sleep when the heavy storm and rain hit the city. A wall, the neighbours had built to cover their roof, suddenly collapsed. The victims got buried under the debris of the wall and three of the victims died on the spot.

On hearing screams and the thud of the wall collapse, nearby people informed the rescue teams.

The rescue teams removed the debris to recover the bodies of the victims.

They were shifting three of the victims to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, two victims died on the way to the hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Mussarat 45, Amna 28, Sharjil 18, Nafeel Ahmad 14 and Mussarat Bibi 50. The lone survivor Bilal Ahmad is undergoing treatment at the Lahore General Hospital. Mussarat Bibi was the guest at the house.

The only member of the family who remained unhurt is a girl who reportedly works as a paramedic and was on duty at a hospital at the time of the incident.

Separately, an incident was reported on Wandala Road, Shahdara. In the incident, a man died and the other received serious injuries when a roof collapsed.

The victims were asleep when the roof of the house suddenly collapsed. As a result, a victim died on the spot.

The other victim received serious injuries. He was undergoing treatment at Shahdara Teaching Hospital.

Reportedly, the roof was made of girder and was in a dilapidated condition.

The third case was reported on Bedian Road.

Reportedly, the roof collapsed when the victims were inside their house situated at Gawa Morr in the morning. The victims were trapped under the debris. Nearby people ran for their rescue and also called Rescue teams.

The teams rushed to the spot, removed the debris and shifted the injured to the hospital. At least four children and their mother had received injuries in the incident.

The children were administered first aid at the hospital. The mother had received serious injuries. She was moved to Lahore Services Hospital for treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2022.