Police seek to exhume bodies of Keamari ‘toxic fumes’ victims

SSP investigation says post-mortem required to ascertain cause of deaths

KARACHI:

Police investigators have proposed exhuming the bodies of people killed allegedly by toxic fumes from factories in Keamari.

Around 18 people died of environmental pollution caused by factories in Ali Mohammad Goth of Keamari Town. However, the deceased were buried without autopsy, said Keamari district SSP Investigation Shumail Riaz Malik.

Sindh Health Department had confirmed on Thursday that at least 18 people have died in the last 16 days in Karachi's Keamari district allegedly due to toxic chemical discharge from two factories located in the area.

A statement issued by the health department said that the officials visited Ali Muhammad Goth earlier today to investigate the mysterious deaths.

The deaths occurred during the period from January 1 to 25, the health department said, adding that the victims included people of all ages.

According to officials, the victims died within five to seven days after showing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and shortness of breath.

SSP Malik told The Express Tribune that formal permission is being sought from the court for exhuming the bodies of the victims for medical examination. He said that post-mortem of the bodies will be conducted to determine the cause of deaths, so that the investigation can proceed.

He said that a plastic factory owner was under arrested in the case registered for deaths due to environmental pollution in Ali Muhammad Goth.

Police have obtained two-day physical remand of the suspect, SSP Malik said, adding, they have prepared a questionnaire to interrogate the suspect. The questions are about raw materials used in the factory and steps taken to prevent environmental pollution.

Mochko police are investigating the matter whereas a special team has been formed to search for other accused named in the case. The team includes Special Investigation Unit (SIU) investigators, Mochko police station SHO and the relevant DSP.

An investigation is also being conducted by the police regarding the violation of the laws of Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2023.