KARACHI: The death toll from the devastating Shah Noorani incident has risen to 18, with one injured individual succumbing to injuries at Karachi’s trauma center.
The incident unfolded near the shrine of Shah Noorani when a truck plunged into a ravine on Monday. Seventeen individuals aboard the truck lost their lives in the tragic accident, while more than 40 others sustained injuries. The bodies of the deceased were initially taken to Jinnah Hospital in Hub before being transferred to the mortuary in Sehwan Sharif Goth. Over 20 injured individuals were provided medical assistance before being transferred to Karachi for further treatment.
Due to delays in ambulance response, severely injured individuals had to be transported to Karachi in private vehicles. Medical personnel at the trauma center in Karachi are providing urgent care to the injured, whose conditions are reported to be critical. The majority of those aboard the truck hailed from the Thatta district of Sindh. SSP Hub Mehr Banbli confirmed that the injured received medical attention at the Government Jumma Ghulam Qadir Hospital in Hub before being transferred to Karachi, with critically injured individuals transported in private vehicles.
In response to the tragedy, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the bereaved families, praying for patience for the heirs of the deceased. Similarly, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif conveyed his condolences and directed all possible medical assistance for the injured.
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah attended the funeral prayers of the deceased and expressed solidarity with the affected families. He announced that compensation would be provided to the families of the victims under the Sindh government’s insurance policy. Meanwhile, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Convenor of MQM Pakistan, demanded compensation for the families of the deceased and urged government authorities to take all necessary steps for the treatment and care of the injured. He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased individuals. On the other hand, Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, also expressed regret over the Shah Noorani Road incident. A spokesperson for the Balochistan government stated that an emergency has been declared at Jinnah Hospital in Hub.
The Chief Minister instructed the district administration to ensure the transfer of the injured to Karachi and to establish contact with the Sindh government. The spokesperson mentioned that the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Lasbela have been directed to take immediate action. Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, Ghazala Gola, expressed condolences over the Shah Noorani Road incident. She said that in this hour of grief, sympathies are with the bereaved families.
