Keamari district: Police booked three factory owners on charges of manslaughter and negligence after 18 people, including 16 children died over past few weeks from inhaling “Toxic fumes” in Keamari district.

Over past few days, 18 people have reportedly died in neighbourhood due to inhaling mysterious toxic gases emitting from factories functioning in residential areas.

Officials from Sindh health department earlier said  deaths took place over period of two weeks between January 10 and 25 in Ali Muhammad Goth and Mowach Goth. Case was registered on complaint of citizen who had lost four family members while living in Ali Mohammed Goth on Suparco Road near Mowach Goth. “Among three nominated suspects, only one has been arrested so far,” officer said.

FIR was registered under Sections 322 (punishment for qatl-bis-sabab), 284 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance) and 34 (acts done by several persons. Khadim Husain, complainant dweller of Ali Muhammed Goth said that several factories for recycling goods in large quantities had been established in area. He said that owners had not taken any safety measures, which caused hazardous smoke and foul smell to permeate area.

Sindh health authorities hinted  that they could not “Exclude measles virus as risk factor of outbreak”, but remained cautious about jumping to conclusions before “confirmation of blood sample” reports.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 30 2023

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