BAHAWALPUR: Four people were struck by lightning in a village in Khairpur Tamewali, resulting in two deaths, while as many others sustained burns on Thursday.

There were 11 labourers working on a wheat thrasher in Basti Baili when rain, thunder and lightning storms began. Seven of them left the site, while four remained under a nearby tree.

Unfortunately, the tree was struck by lightning, killing Muhammad Ajmal and Rab Nawaz, and injuring Muhammad Sajjad and Muhammad Hanif.

Rescue 1122 transported the bodies and injured individuals to the local THQ Hospital.

FIRE: Regarding the fire incident, Hafiz Muhammad Younus from the Muttahida Anjuman-i-Tajran of Bahawalpur has stated that the fire in the Gulzar-i-Sadiq furniture market on Tuesday night could not be immediately controlled due to alleged negligence on the part of the rescuers and fire engine members.

During a protest demonstration, he mentioned if the fire engine staff and rescuers had arrived promptly after the fire broke out, the extent of the losses could have been minimised.

Traders demanded compensation for their losses and threatened to expand the protest if their demands were not met.

Rescue 1122 stated that they initiated the anti-fire operation immediately after receiving the emergency call, and it took them two hours to extinguish the fire, successfully preventing damage to the nearby petrol pump as well.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2023