CHARSADDA, Aug 12: Eight persons of a family were killed and one was injured when roof of their house collapsed due to heavy rain in Sher Payan area of Charsadda on Monday night.

The family members of a tractor driver, Malang Shah, were asleep in their one-room house when the main girder broke down due to heavy rainfall. The inmates including Malang Shah, his wife Zakia, daughters Hassina,18, Sundus,9, Eman,7, Sawera,5, Nimra,3, Marwa,2, and Mohammad Sher were buried under the debris of the house.

Residents of the area rushed to the site of occurrence and took part in rescue work. After hectic efforts despite heavy rain and darkness they retrieved eight dead bodies and an injured person from the rubbles. Mohammad Sher, who sustained injuries in the incident, was taken to hospital. The dead bodies were also shifted to the district headquarters hospital.

The incident sparked anguish and anger in the area as people criticised the district government severely for not taking part in the rescue. They also demanded compensation for the bereaved family.

Moving scenes were witnessed when the victims were laid to rest in their ancestral graveyard amid tears and grief. A large number of people participated in their funeral prayers.

The local leadership of Awami National Party also visited the bereaved family and offered condolence on behalf of the party chief Asfandyar and Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti. They assured the people of the area that provincial government would compensate the bereaved family. Local leaders of other political parties including Pakistan People’s Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao also visited the area to condole the death of the poor family.

MEETING: An emergent meeting of the district council was held here with District Nazim Sajid Khan in the chair. The meeting discussed situation in flood-hit areas of the district and decided that all BHUs and schools would remain open on emergency bases to coupe with any untoward situation.