KARACHI: Two members of a family were killed, and two others injured when a speeding dumper truck overturned onto their vehicle on Rashid Minhas Road early Thursday. The victims were part of a convoy heading to Jinnah International Terminal to welcome relatives returning from Hajj.
The deceased were identified as 55-year-old Shaheena Naeem and her seven-year-old niece, Ayesha, daughter of Khurram Kareem. The injured included Khurram’s wife, Anam, 30, and Khurram himself, who was driving the vehicle. The family, from ROC Cooperative Housing Society, Scheme 33, had been en route to greet their uncle, Kashif Kareem, and his family, who had just completed Hajj.
Shaheena’s son, Saud Khan, recounted the incident, stating that their convoy was halted at the COD signal when the heavily loaded dumper truck sped past them, lost control, and toppled onto their SUV, burying it under sand and gravel. Saud criticized the slow and disorganized rescue response, claiming it took over three hours to extract the victims due to a lack of heavy machinery and resources. Tragically, Shaheena and Ayesha succumbed to their injuries before the vehicle was pulled out.
The incident has sparked outrage over the reckless driving of dumper truck drivers, with many witnesses claiming the driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Despite police efforts, the driver remains unidentified. The tragedy has also highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal sand and gravel extraction in Karachi, with trucks continuing to operate despite a ban.
The funeral prayers for Ayesha were held in Buffer Zone, while Shaheena’s took place in Liaquatabad. Both were laid to rest in the C-1 Area Graveyard.
