11 injured as vehicle ploughs into imambargah gate

Incident occurred after Suzuki's brakes reportedly failed

KARACHI:

A speeding Suzuki carrying four people crashed through security barricades and hit the main gate of an imambargah in Defence Phase 6 on Sunday after its brakes reportedly failed, leaving more than 11 people, including women and children, injured.

According to police, the accident occurred near Badr Commercial, Sabza Avenue, where a Majlis was underway at the imambargah . Eyewitnesses said the vehicle suddenly went out of control, smashed through barricades installed outside the gate, and entered the premises, hitting people standing near the entrance.

DIG South Asad Raza said the incident took place within the limits of Darakhshan Police Station. "Initial investigations indicate the crash was caused by brake failure. Four occupants of the Suzuki have been taken into custody," he said. Hospital officials identified the injured as 18-year-old Mahin Fatima, 20-year-old Mehnaz, 45-year-old Shazia, 5-year-old Aman Fatima, 40-year-old Mumtaz Bibi, 22-year-old Sher Bano, 32-year-old Kausar Parveen, 9-year-old Zanifa, 3-year-old Ayat, and 45-year-old Irshad Bibi. Around 10 of the injured are women, police said.

Rescue teams from Edhi and Chhipa reached the site immediately and shifted all the injured to Jinnah Hospital for treatment, where they remain under care. Panic gripped the area after the crash as a large number of citizens gathered at the scene. Police have seized the vehicle and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.