Incident during religious majlis in upmarket DHA Phase VI raises questions over vehicle safety and crowd management in sensitive religious gatherings.
At least 14 people, mostly women, were injured when a Suzuki pickup truck veered out of control and slammed into a mourning tent set up outside an Imambargah in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI on Monday night.
The crash occurred on Saba Avenue near Masjid-o-Imam Bargah Baqiyatullah, where mourners had gathered for a majlis. Rescue services and police officials said the vehicle ploughed directly into the tent, causing panic among the large crowd attending the religious commemoration.
Driver taken into custody:
Darakhshan SHO Rashid Ali confirmed that police immediately took the driver and two other occupants of the vehicle into custody. The driver reportedly told investigators that the accident happened due to sudden brake failure.
Local residents and eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people rushed to help the injured. Several of those hurt were women who were seated inside the tent at the time of the incident. They were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, with some sustaining fractures and head injuries.
Calls for Safety After Karachi Majlis Crash:
Shia community leaders have called for a thorough investigation, urging authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur during religious gatherings, which are often held in open or temporary setups due to large attendances.
This is not the first time a vehicle has lost control and entered a crowded religious event in Karachi. Similar accidents in the past have prompted calls for better traffic management and barriers around mourning processions and majlis venues, especially in densely populated residential areas.
Police have registered a case and are examining the vehicle for mechanical faults. Further investigations are underway to determine whether negligence or vehicle condition contributed to the crash.