In Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI, a speeding Suzuki loading vehicle broke through a barrier and collided with a tent outside Imambargah Baqiyatullah on Sunday night, injuring 14 individuals, predominantly women. The incident occurred around 9:26 pm near Chhota Shahbaz Commercial within Darakshan police jurisdiction, just before a Muharram majlis on the fifth day of the religious month was set to begin.
Witnesses reported immediate panic as the vehicle entered the tented area, with many participants fearing a deliberate attack. This led to a brief stampede-like rush as mourners scrambled for safety. Local residents quickly apprehended the driver and two passengers before handing them over to police. Additional police and Rangers personnel arrived promptly to secure the scene while rescue efforts were underway.
All injured were transported to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment. Hospital officials confirmed 14 patients, including women and two children, were admitted. Those identified among the injured include Shazia, Maheem, Mehnaz, Zunaira, Kausar, Shehrbano, Irshad Bibi, Sumaira, Nida, Shabana, and two minors aged three years, Aayat and Daniyal, along with three unidentified women. Many sustained head and limb injuries, but doctors described their conditions as stable.
Authorities took the driver and his two passengers into custody and registered a case. Preliminary investigations indicate the crash may have resulted from brake failure. Officials noted the vehicle lost control after striking a barrier before entering the tent area. No evidence of sabotage or terrorism has been found to date.
In a significant development, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident, requesting a detailed report from police. He instructed officials to explore all possible causes, including mechanical failure, and emphasized that the injured receive the best medical care available. Police continue their investigation while security forces examine the scene and collect evidence to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.
