Funeral prayers have been offered for eight mourners who lost their lives in a tragic electrocution incident in the Shikarpur district after an alam (sacred flag) came into contact with a high-voltage electricity line during a Muharram gathering .
The accident occurred in Bodo Walisabad village near Dakkhan town yesterday, where hundreds of people had assembled as part of the annual mourning observances commemorating the martyrs of Karbala.
According to local authorities, the large metal flag, known as an Alam, struck an 11,000-volt high-tension transmission line while it was being installed, causing a powerful electric shock.
Police officials said the Alam lost its balance and tilted towards the overhead power cables. The contact resulted in the immediate deaths of eight Alam-grabbers and left at least 15 others injured.
Witnesses reported scenes of panic as people attempted to move away from the area after the electrocution occurred.
The deceased were identified as Hidayatullah, Abdul Waheed, Mohammad Khalid, Mohammad Zahid, Shafiq Ahmed, Din Mohammad, Arbab and Mohammad Hassan. All belonged to the local Jaffaria community and were taking part in the traditional religious ceremony.
Rescue teams, police personnel and local residents launched emergency relief operations shortly after the incident.
The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, while several critically wounded victims were referred to medical facilities in Shikarpur, Larkana and Sukkur for specialised treatment.
The tragedy cast a shadow of grief over the village and surrounding areas. Funeral prayers for the eight victims were attended by hundreds of residents, relatives and friends. Following the prayers, the deceased were laid to rest in a local graveyard amid scenes of deep sorrow.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the accident and to assess whether additional safety measures could have prevented the tragedy.
