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Ramadan alms distribution sparks deadly stampede in southern Pakistan

At least 11 people died in Karachi's Baldia Town neighbourhood when needy women with children flocked to a factory distributing alms, police say.

AFP

Business owners during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan often hand out cash and food, especially to the poor.

At least 11 people have been killed in a stampede during the distribution of food aid in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, police said, one of several such incidents in recent weeks as the country's economic crisis bites.

The dead included five women and three children, police said, while five other people were hospitalised following the incident, which occurred at a charity-run distribution site set up at a local factory on Friday.

Fida Janwari, a senior police officer in western Karachi's Baldia Town neighbourhood, said the stampede happened when needy women with children flocked to a factory distributing alms.

"Panic struck and people started running," he said.

Asma Ahmed, 30, said her grandmother and niece were among the dead.

"We come every year to the factory for the Zakat," she said, using the Islamic term for alms.

"They started beating the women with clubs and pushing them," Ahmed added. "There was chaos everywhere."

"Why did they call us if they couldn't manage it?" she asked.

Janwari said three factory employees were arrested after failing to inform police of the donation event to organise crowd control.

Food aid centres

Thousands of people have gathered at flour distribution centres set up across the country, some as part of a government-backed programme to ease the impact of inflation, which is running above 30 percent.

At least five other people have been killed and several injured in recent weeks at sites in other provinces in Pakistan. Thousands of bags of flour have also been looted from trucks and distribution points, according to official records.

The costs of basic goods have surged, with flour prices rising more than 45% in the past year.

The Pakistani government has launched the flour distribution programme to reach millions of families in need during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan which began last week.

SOURCE: TRTWorld and agencies