LAHORE, Aug 14: Ten (10) youngsters were killed and hundreds injured while recklessly riding motorbikes on city roads on the Independence Day on Saturday.

All the victims were 16 to 25 years of age. Three women were also hit and killed by speeding two-wheelers.

Though the sport is a regular feature of Aug 14, this year's toll, the highest-ever, shows the alarming trend gaining popularity among youths.

Bilal of Green Town, Kashif, Asif and Wasim of Badami Bagh, Irfan of Model Town and Naveed and Jamil of the Lower Mall area, Akram of Raiwind, Arshad of Muslim Town and Jahanzeb of Jallo Mor lost control of their two-wheelers while doing a wheelie and hit other vehicles or footpaths.

They sustained serious injuries and were rushed to different hospitals where they expired.

Hundreds of other youths riding bikes without silencers were also injured and admitted to different city hospitals. Several of them were discharged after first aid.

Three women - Shazia and Razia of Shahdra and Safia from Chuhng - fell victim to reckless driving.

Police who would normally picket the main city roads, did not do so on Saturday to provide a smooth passage to the young riders. They stayed along the roads but did not try to stop the riders. However, the police said they did arrest dozens of youngsters on charges of over-speeding and reckless driving.

Lahore General Hospital and Mayo Hospital officials told Dawn that over 200 youngsters with minor and serious injuries had been admitted to these hospitals.

Meanwhile, a woman was killed after falling off a roof in Ghaziabad. Police said Shahida Bibi, aged 35, was hoisting a flag on the rooftop when she fell down accidentally. She was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Four people including a 10-year-old girl were killed in road accidents not related to joyriding.

Hamid and his niece Zubaida were riding a motorcycle in Manga Mandi when they were hit by a rashly-driven van. They were rushed to hospital where Zubaida succumbed to her injuries and the condition of Hamid was said to be critical.

Ruqaya Bibi, aged 50, was crossing the road in Islampura when she was hit by a speeding bus and died on the spot. Two unidentified men, aged around 30 and 45 years, were run over and killed in Ghaziabad and Naulakha. The bodies were removed to the city morgue.