LAHORE: A 25-year-old man was electrocuted and seven others were injured in separate Basant-related incidents across the city on Friday, as violations of safety rules surfaced during kite-flying celebrations, Rescue 1122 officials said.
Ali Rasheed died after climbing an electricity pole near Sukh Nehar to retrieve a stray kite. Rescuers said he was electrocuted on the spot. His body was handed over to the family after legal formalities.
Several injuries were reported after midnight in different neighbourhoods. In Gulshan Ravi, eight-year-old Irha suffered a neck injury from a kite string. In the same locality, 45-year-old Shabbir received cuts to his face and nose from a string and was shifted to hospital.
On Ravi Road, Saqib was injured after falling from a rooftop while flying kites. In the Lower Mall area, 12-year-old Abdul Wahid was hurt while chasing a stray kite in the street. Fourteen-year-old Salman was injured while attempting to retrieve a kite from a tree in Gulshan Ravi.
In Defence Phase 5, 21-year-old Rafi Tanveer, who was riding a motorcycle, sustained a neck injury when a kite string struck him. In Garhi Shahu, 29-year-old Qasim Ali was wounded after being hit by a stray bullet and was taken to Civil Hospital for treatment.
Reports of aerial firing and the use of prohibited chemical-coated string also emerged from parts of the Walled City.
Following the incidents, the Punjab Home Department imposed Section 144 and placed security on high alert at city entry and exit points. Authorities announced a ban on the display of weapons and aerial firing in Lahore.
