KARACHI: A girl who was critically injured after a speeding car crashed into a tent set up for a religious gathering in Karachi’s DHA Phase 6 has died during treatment, while 11 people were injured in the incident, police said on Monday.
The accident occurred on Sunday night near Saba Avenue when the vehicle reportedly went out of control, struck several pedestrians and then rammed into a canopy erected outside an imambargah, causing panic among those attending the gathering.
Senior Superintendent of Police South Mehzor Ali said the driver and two other occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody soon after the incident.
He said the number of injured later rose to 11 as more victims were shifted to hospitals. Initial reports had put the number of injured at five.
Deputy Inspector General South Asad Raza confirmed that the injured girl died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital. He added that seven injured people remain under treatment at two hospitals.
Police have registered a case on the complaint of the imambargah’s security in-charge under sections related to terrorism and attempted murder.
Meanwhile, CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the car entering the road at high speed before losing control at around 9:26pm. The footage shows the vehicle hitting pedestrians before crashing into the tent, forcing people at the gathering to flee for safety.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Additional Inspector General of Police.
During a briefing, the chief minister was informed that the vehicle’s brakes had apparently failed, leaving the driver unable to control the car before it crashed into the gathering.
Murad directed police to impound the vehicle, arrest the driver without delay and submit a comprehensive inquiry report into the incident. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Police said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash, including whether it resulted from mechanical failure or driver negligence.
