Electricity wire spark creates panic

Published October 22, 2006

SIALKOT, Oct 21: Several people, mostly women and children, suffered bruises when they ran helter-skelter in panic after many shops in the Daska city’s main market were electrified on Friday evening.

The situation was reportedly caused by a heavy rain which fell in the district.

Electric shocks were felt in iron shutters and counters due to the sparking of the cracked electricity wires dangling in the market.

Local Anjuman-i-Tajran secretary-general Muhammad Athar Lone told journalists on Saturday that electricity cables hanging in the main bazaars atop the shops had been damaged and long been demanding replacement.

He said these wires sparked during rain which caused electrification of the shops. Some of the people suffered minor shocks during shopping for Eid.

The trader said Gepco’s emergency staff was called in which rectified the wiring system.