8 killed as alam falls on power lines in Shikarpur

HYDERABAD:

Eight people were electrocuted to death and more than a dozen sustained injuries when a 30-foot-tall alam fell on 11KV electricity transmission wires in village Baddo, Dakhan area of Shikarpur district.

SSP Shikarpur Muhammad Kaleem Malik confirmed the death toll. He said the flag, associated with Ghazi Abbas (RA), was being raised at Imambargah Noor Hussain Shah with ropes when it slipped from the hands of participants and struck the power line.

The deceased were identified as Deen Muhammad Lolai, Shafiq Lolai, Khalid Lolai, Arbab Lolai, Hidayatullah Lolai, Zahid Lolai, Abdul Waheed Lolai, and Muhammad Hassan Solangi. All were declared dead on arrival at the local government hospital. Around 15 others suffered burns and injuries.

Deputy Commissioner Shakeel Abro said he would write to the Sindh government seeking monetary compensation for the families of the deceased. Riaz Lolai, brother of one of the victims, said the injured were transported to hospital in commercial cabs due to the unavailability of ambulances.

On Monday, a collective Namaz-e-Janaza for all eight deceased was held in the village, attended by the SSP, DC, District Council Chairman Zulfiqar Khan Kamario, and other notables. Residents raised the alam again during the day.