Multan Tragedy: Initial report declares stampede an accident

MULTAN: Police have submitted the initial report of the Multan tragedy in which seven people were killed following a stampede after a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally at Qasim Bagh stadium.

The initial report submitted in the Lahori Gate Police Station declared the stampede a 'coincidental accident' and a case has been registered under Section 174. No individual has contacted the police to become a party in the case nor has any application been submitted.

Earlier, DCO Multan said an inquiry committee had been formed on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

Seven PTI workers were killed and dozens injured after participants of the rally rushed to the outer gates of the Qasim Bagh Stadium causing a stampede.

Witnesses said that a musical programme was underway after Imran Khan had finished his speech. The people rushed to the exit point that caused the tragedy. Nishtar Hospital officials said the deaths occurred due to suffocation and injuries.

Multan DCO, Zahid Gondal confirmed seven deaths and injuries to 23 others. He said that the public meeting’s organisers had submitted an undertaking that they would be responsible for internal security of the public meeting. He said the organisers had restricted the district administration and the police from interfering in the internal arrangements of the meeting.