22 die as boat carrying 50 people capsizes in Thatta

Ag Agencies
SUKKUR: A tragedy struck when a boat carrying pilgrims capsized in sea near coast of Bohara town claiming the lives of as many 22 people while over 60 were reported missing till late night. The passengers were on their way to attend an Urs at Dargah Mir Shah located in Bohara on Thursday. Women and children were also among the devotees. The boat reportedly overloaded with large number of devotees gave in due to gusty winds. Police confirmed 22 deaths, while several are reported to be missing. A rescue operation was started by divers from Pakistan Navy and other organisations. District Chairman Thatta, Ghulam Qadir Palejo, said 35 devotees were rescued by a team of Pakistan Navy divers but the rescue operation had to be stopped due to night and will resume early morning Friday. Most of the victims belonged to Sakhro, Thatta and Malir in Karachi. M. Waqar Bhatti adds from Karachi: As many as nine people including five women and four children rescued from the open sea off Thatta were brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and the National Institute of Child Health for treatment, Sindh health department officials said.
"We received eight injured from Thatta district. Three children were sent to NICH, while five women were brought to JPMC, all of whom were discharged after initial treatment," Dr. Salman, Deputy Director at JPMC told The News. "Four children aged between 2 to 5 years were brought to NICH, of whom condition of an infant is critical, he said. He said the lungs of all the children were affected due to drowning and they were treated at the ICU.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed Deputy Commissioner and SSP Thatta to start rescue operation and directed commissioner Hyderabad to monitor the rescue operation.
Agenicy adds: The JPMC doctors said a child Owais son of Elahi Bux died during treatment at the hospital.