Traffic accidents reach alarming levels in Karachi

KARACHI: The road accidents in Pakistan’s largest city have reached dangerous proportions, with more than 10,000 traffic crashes reported during the first 290 days of this year, according to rescue and police officials.

Data reveals that at least 680 people, including women and children, have lost their lives in these tragic incidents, while the number of injured persons has exceeded 10,200.

Just last night, two deadly accidents in Liaquatabad and Model Colony claimed two more lives. In Liaquatabad, the deceased was a father of twin children and brother to eight sisters, highlighting the devastating human toll of Karachi’s worsening traffic crisis.

Authorities report that heavy vehicles remain a major cause of fatalities, with 201 deaths recorded from collisions involving trucks, dumpers, and tankers this year.

Among the victims, 527 were men, 71 women, and 82 children, officials confirmed.

A breakdown of the fatal crashes shows: 25 deaths caused by buses,  11 by minibuses, 6 by coaches, 78 by trailers, 18 by Mazda trucks, 36 by dumpers, 45 by water tankers and 6 by oil tankers

Police officials added that motorcyclists accounted for the highest number of fatalities, followed by pedestrians and passengers in other vehicles.

Rescue officials have called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, limitations on heavy vehicle movement, and public awareness campaigns to curb the growing menace of road accidents in Karachi.