Seven children among 13 killed in Karachi's landslide

PM Nawaz expresses grief and directs authorities to speed up relief efforts

KARACHI: Thirteen people including seven children were crushed to death in Karachi's Gulistan-e-Jauhar area on Tuesday, when a rare landslide struck their thatch huts as they slept, officials said.

The victims, who police said were from three families, were living on a plot of land carved out of a hill when the tragedy struck in the early hours.

Tearful relatives gathered at the scene, watching as the bodies were pulled from the rubble and wrapped in shrouds. One victim was a girl believed to be as young as six months, a rescue worker told AFP.

PHOTO: AFP

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"After up to five hours of rescue work the 13 bodies of the victims were recovered from the heap of stones and dust," senior police officer Javed Jaskani told AFP.

PHOTO: AFP

Rescue workers initially dug through the rubble with shovels and hoes in the hunt for survivors before switching to mechanical tools.

Jaskani said that a joint enquiry would be conducted by the police and the city administration to probe the cause of the tragedy, adding that no criminal elements were believed to be involved.

Prime Minister expresses deep grief, sorrow

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of 13 people landsliding in Karachi.

PHOTO: AFP

Further, PM Nawaz along with directing authorities to provide special medical care to the injured, gave orders to speed up relief efforts and help families of the deceased in every possible way.