Follow up: More than 100 workers brought to hospitals

LAHORE:

“I thought it was an earthquake,” says 15-year-old Asghar Ali, a worker at the polythene factory that collapsed on Wednesday. “I tried to leave the building but the roof and the walls started collapsing around me. Everything went dark and I fell to the ground, unable to move under the weight of whatever was holding me down.” 

Asghar was pulled out from under the rubble by Rescue 1122 workers several hours later and taken to Jinnah Hospital. Doctors say he has a fractured arm. Emergency rooms of three public hospitals received more than 100 injured workers. According to figures provided by the district government, 102 people were injured. Of these, 59 were under treatment and the others had been released.  Talking to The Express Tribune, Jinnah Hospital Additional Medical Superintendent Muhammad Shahid said 29 people had been brought there. He said of these, six had died. He said nine people were discharged after they were given first aid. He said 19 others had been asked to stay on for further treatment. He said most of the injured had fractures. The additional MS said many of the injured were minors. Shahid said one of the injured was a double amputee. “They had to amputate his legs to pull him out.” He said the man had been identified as Azhar, 30. “He is currently in intensive care and is a stable condition.” Shahid said that a team of surgeons from Jinnah Hospital had performed the amputation on site as both his legs had been crushed under the rubble.  As many as 30 people were taken to Sharif Medical City. SMC officials said two injured had been discharged from the hospital and 28 others had been kept overnight. They said six bodies had also been brought to the hospital. One of the injured was admitted at Services Hospital, four at Social Security Hospital Manga Mandi. A body was brought to Lahore General Hospital. Talking to newsmen in front of Sharif Medical City, Punjab Chief Minister’s Health Adviser Khawaja Salman Rafique said all facilities were being provided to the injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2015.