Influx of bodies at mortuaries creates mystery

Edhi, Chhipa morgues receive 668 bodies in five days; govt says only eight died of heatwave

KARACHI:

The sudden influx of 668 bodies into the mortuaries of charitable organisations has created a perplexing mystery as a deadly heatwave continues to bake the teeming metropolis of more than 20 million.

The Sindh Health Department has confirmed only eight heatstroke-related deaths in Karachi, triggering allegations of cover-up. There have been increasing calls for investigation as the government has yet to ascertain the causes behind the unprecedented surge in deaths over the past few days which are attributed to the ongoing heatwave.

On Wednesday alone, six bodies were discovered on various city footpaths, underscoring the severity of the situation. According to the Sindh Health Department, Civil Hospital has reported 285 heatstroke cases with eight fatalities this month, while the JPMC has documented 94 cases without any deaths during the same period. Similarly, Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad has reported 29 cases, and primary and secondary healthcare centres across the province have registered 1,718 cases with one death.

These official figures are logic defying. The Edhi Foundation reported a stark increase in mortuary admissions, receiving 568 bodies in the past five days compared to an average of 30-40 daily. Similarly, the Chhipa Welfare spokesperson disclosed receiving 100 bodies in three days. Most of these bodies were of drug addicts and homeless people.

Pakistan Islamic Medical Association Karachi President Dr Abdullah Muttaqi highlighted discrepancies between reported figures by the Edhi Foundation and the Sindh Health Department.

He called for a thorough investigation to ascertain whether the deaths were indeed heat-related or potentially linked to infectious diseases.