‘Reckless’ driving claims four lives

Police say five others suffered serious injuries and condition of four is critical

Four people were killed and five suffered serious injuries when a speeding car rammed into a motorcycle on the Islamabad Expressway on Christmas eve.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident took place at Dhok Kala Khan stop within the jurisdiction of Khanna police station between Sunday and Monday night, causing the motorcycle riders to fall away at distance while the speeding car after overturning several times stopped at a distance.

Rescue 1122 spokesman said that the rescue teams reached the spot as soon as the accident was reported. Three people died on the spot while one injured succumbed to his injuries after reaching the hospital. Among the dead, two people belonged to the Christian community.

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The spokesman added that all the people on the motorcycle belonged to the Christian community. Those killed in the accident include Alia Nadeem, Johns Masih, Zaroon Ilyas and Obaid Nadeem. The injured include Shakeel, Zafar Masih, Islas Masih, Alisha and Yusha. The condition of four injured is stated to be critical and they are being treated at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital.

Khanna police said that the case of the horrific accident has been registered on the complaint of Islas Masih.

According to the case plaintiff, he was passing through Dhok Kala Khan stop on a motorcycle along with his two brothers and son when a speeding vehicle coming from behind rammed into their motorcycle. There were five people in the car who were driving recklessly, he said, adding that the plaintiff's son and brother died in the accident.

The police said that the car and motorcycle involved in the accident have been seized and transferred to the police station. The police have registered a case.

Read Four die in collision on Islamabad Expressway

Major calamity averted

Firefighters averted a large-scale calamity on Monday as they put out a major fire that broke out near an oil refinery in the Dhamial area of the garrison city.

The precarious turn of events unfolded as a significant fire erupted in the Jorian neighbourhood within the Saddar Beruni police station’s jurisdiction when an oil refinery's supply pipeline exploded, causing substantial damage to three houses.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

According to Rescue 1122, more than 30 firefighters using firefighting vehicles managed to bring the fire under control after a four-hour-long operation.

The incident occurred as purported thieves punctured the underground pipeline, attempting to extract oil. The Rawalpindi administration and police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

On Monday morning, residents of the Jorian village on Dhamial Road discovered a black liquid on the road and an empty plot, initially mistaking it for sewage water.

As they approached the source, a house where tenants had recently moved out, a massive fire broke out in front of the porch and boundary wall.

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Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi personnel, SHO Saddar Beruni Jamal Nawaz, and law enforcement arrived promptly, initiating firefighting operations. Despite efforts, the fire intensified, prompting the Rawalpindi police to block off the street and evacuate nearby houses for safety.

The oil refinery's fire tenders and staff were deployed to the scene who disconnected the gas supply and released water into the area.

Electricity in the region was also cut off.

After four hours of intense firefighting, using chemical foam, sand, and dirt, more than thirty firefighters managed to dampen the oil fire. Locals also participated in relief efforts during this period.

Local witnesses reported that tenants had recently moved into the suspected house, and speculation suggests they attempted to steal oil by puncturing the pipeline.

The occupants vanished overnight, leaving the house empty.

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Despite damage to surrounding houses, no injuries were reported. Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Chatha, Rawalpindi DC Hasan Waqar Cheema, and other officials reached the site, announcing a thorough investigation. Commissioner Chatha indicated that a permanent policy would be devised to prevent such incidents in the future.

Rawalpindi RPO Syed Khurram Ali emphasised a comprehensive investigation, considering details such as oil theft from the pipeline inside the house.

Those responsible for the pipeline puncture would face severe legal consequences, he said. Meanwhile, oil refinery personnel were on-site to repair the damaged pipeline.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2023.