Eid revellers warned of drowning risk

Expressing concern over an alarming figure of 92 deaths due to drowning recorded across Punjab during last month, Emergency Services Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer has appealed to the citizens to ensure safety precautions while visiting water recreational sites during the Eid holidays.

Reviewing the emergency service's performance in all districts during May, he emphasised the importance of strictly following all safety measures, especially while swimming or other activities in water.

He advised the people not to enter the water or board a boat without wearing life jackets and to avoid overloading to avoid capsizing.

The provincial secretary urged all citizens to ensure safety precautions while visiting the recreational sites during the hot weather.

He also advised the people not to enter the water without the presence of lifeguards, to wear life jackets while boating and to remain mindful of the vessel's capacity to avoid drowning due to capsizing.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government on Monday announced four Eid holidays from Friday to June 9.

The data shared in the meeting revealed that 92 people had died in 140 incidents of drowning reported in Punjab during May.

As many as 436 people died in 39,978 road traffic crashes in the province during the month. Of the road accidents, 7,384 occurred in Lahore, in which 38 people died, followed by 2,671 in Faisalabad, 2,527 in Multan, 2,139 in Gujranwala, 1,491 in Sheikhupura and 1,290 in Bahawalpur. The number of fire emergencies reported in Lahore was 602, Faisalabad 300, Gujranwala 206, Sialkot 187, Sheikhupura 184 and Rawalpindi 174.

The secretary said the emergency services department had rescued 211,354 victims during the month.

With additional input from APP