KARACHI:The Karachi has witnessed a disturbing rise in road mishaps this year, with over 10,000 traffic accidents reported in the past nine months, leaving 656 people dead, including women and children.

According to rescue officials, a total of 9,725 people sustained injuries in various road accidents across the city during this period. Out of the total fatalities, 507 were men, 68 women, and 81 children.

Heavy vehicles were involved in a significant number of fatal accidents, claiming 196 lives over the past 270 days. Further data shows that 25 people were killed in accidents involving buses, 11 in minibus accidents, 6 in coach-related incidents, 75 due to trailers, 17 by Mazda trucks, 36 by dumpers, 44 by water tankers, and 6 by oil tankers.

Authorities noted that motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable group, making up the majority of casualties. Pedestrians ranked second, followed by passengers and drivers of other vehicles.

Traffic police officials have termed the situation alarming and called for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, improved road safety awareness, and better regulation of heavy vehicles to curb the rising number of accidents in the city.