Two women killed, 22 injured as boats collide near Baba, Bhit Islands in Karachi

At least two women were killed and 22 others injured when two boats collided near Baba and Bhit Islands in Kemari, officials said. The incident occurred while a boat was travelling from Kemari to Manora towards Baba Bhit Shah.

Upon receiving reports, Kemari district police and rescue teams rushed to the site. Officials from Edhi and Chhipa rescue services said their maritime teams began operations immediately. During the rescue, seven people were found semi-conscious, while 10 to 12 others were transferred to hospitals in critical condition.

Edhi confirmed that the deceased were identified as 16-year-old Muqaddas and 40-year-old Uroosa. Muqaddas’s body was taken to Civil Hospital, while Uroosa’s body was moved from Ziauddin Hospital to Edhi’s cold storage facility.

SHO Jackson Police Station Rana Khushi Muhammad visited Ziauddin Hospital to assess the condition of the injured. Speaking to the media, he said police had received reports that two boats collided near the Baba Bhit coastal area, causing panic and sending several passengers into the water. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

According to SSP Kemari Amjad Sheikh, preliminary reports indicate the collision of two boats caused the accident. There is currently no evidence suggesting involvement of a pilot boat. The victims, who hailed from Bahawalpur in Punjab, had been visiting Baba Bhit Shah and Manora for sightseeing.

Following the incident, additional police and rescue personnel were deployed to Kemari. A mobile video circulating on social media shows passengers, including women and children, aboard one of the boats involved.

In the footage, a person identified as Waqar Bhatti alleges that the collision occurred due to the high speed of a PT pilot boat. Police said a thorough investigation would be conducted after statements from the victims are recorded.

The injured include women and children. Seventeen were admitted to KPT Ziauddin Hospital, one child to KPT Hospital, three to Civil Hospital Trauma Center, and one to Jinnah Hospital.

Police identified some of the injured as 2-year-old Dawood, 15-year-old Khadija, 7-year-old Yusra, 30-year-old Saima, 14-year-old Salman, 5-year-old Ahad, 20-year-old Huzaifa, 7-year-old Zara, Urooj, 5-year-old Amanullah, 5-year-old Arifa, 5-year-old Noushad, 6-year-old Sarah, 5-year-old Ryan, 18-year-old Ayesha, 26-year-old Mehak, and Asiya.