Ramadan Food Distribution Centre Sees 11 killed in Pakistan Due to Stampede
Karachi, which is in the southern part of Pakistan, has recorded a stampede during the break of fast of the festival called Ramadan. A total of 11 people have been counted dead, including women and children, according to the report given by police officials.
Several people were also injured in Friday’s incident, which happened when hundreds of people panicked and started pushing each other to collect food outside a factory. Some of them fell into a nearby drain, police official Mughees Hashmi said source.
According to the report given by an eyewitness who was present when the death occurred, it was gathered that a crowd gathered at a factory that was found distributing food for the break of the Ramadan fast, but not until much pressure was gathered that they began pushing themselves in an attempt to provide space for food.
During this process, some were pushed close to a wall; thereafter, the wall collapsed, falling on some, while others were pushed into the drain, where they sustained injuries and others died.
Hashmi said the factory owner who organised the food distribution centre had not alerted police about the plan. He said local police were unaware of the distribution, otherwise they might have deployed forces source
On clarifying the catalyst that initiated the death to this extent, it was gathered that the source that hosted the food distribution did not alert a police force that could have arranged the gathering so that it would be death free.
source
According to statistical analysis, it was estimated that about 21 people have died as a result of stampedes globally since the start of the Ramadan feast. The one that happened in Pakistan was the deadliest of them all.
Another important factor that caused the death rate to this extent is that regarding economic melt down within the country which has affected an average living man on providing food for the family. It has been worsened to the extent that the government had an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for the release of $6.5bn loan deal within the country to lessen food crises during this Ramadan period.
Reference
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/31/stampede-at-food-distribution-centre-kills-11-in-pakistan