Hoax call creates panic in Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital

Bomb disposal squad combed emergency, children's wards and cleared entire hospital of any threat after one-hour search

KARACHI:

Police rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on Friday afternoon, following a hoax call about a bomb in the emergency ward. The incident created panic and chaos, as hospital staff and patients were quickly evacuated.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers reached the spot and advised the attendants of the patients in the emergency and children's wards to shift to safe places along with their patients. The law enforcement agencies then called the bomb disposal squad. Vehicles in the parking lot of the emergency ward were also removed.

The bomb disposal squad combed the entire area of both the wards, and after more than one hour, cleared it of any bomb threat. They termed it a hoax call and issued a clearance certificate to the Saddar police.

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According to officials, the person who reported the fake bomb threat had switched off his phone, making it difficult for the authorities to track him down. However, they have launched an investigation and are confident that they will be able to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.

Police officials have condemned the hoax call, saying it was a deliberate attempt to create chaos and disrupt the peace. They have vowed to take strict legal action against the person responsible for the false information.

The JPMC incident disrupted the hospital's services for several hours, causing inconvenience to patients and their families. Hospital officials have expressed their gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their swift response and thorough investigation. They have also urged citizens to refrain from such acts, which cause unnecessary panic and inconvenience to the public.