At least 22 people were killed while 35 were rescued when two boats carrying over 100 people including women and children capsized in Thatta district of Sindh province on Thursday.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Thatta while briefing the Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah confirmed the death of 22 people in the boat capsized incident.
The DC Thatta said that two boats with over 100 people onboard struck to each other while going to Pir Pithu Mizaar due to strong winds.
The Deputy Commissioner said that so far 35 people had been rescued while 22 dead bodies had been recovered.
The death bodies were shifted to Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Sakro.
Earlier police had said that the incident took place near Mohara – a Coastal Town of Thatta – where a large number of people were on board an overcrowded boat towards a Shrine for a fair. However, the boat lost the balance amid strong winds, and therefore 50 people onboard drowned.
Police had said that a rescue operation was underway to search other drowned people.
The eye witnesses said that the boat could have carried around 200 people; however, it could not uphold the balance due to strong winds and hurriedness of the people.
The Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto expressed condolences and sympathies over the loss of human lives in Thatta.
Bilawal also directed the Sindh government and administration to expedite the rescue and relief operation. He also issued orders to provide best medical facilities to the injured persons.
