KARACHI: At least five people were killed and three others wounded after a huge rock broke off a mountain and fell on a house in Karachi early Thursday, police officials said.
The boulder fell on a house in Gulshan e Ghazi area of Karachi's Baldia Town at 4:45 AM, said SP Asif Razzak.
The owner of the house, 45-year-old Zameer Gul along with his wife,two children, and a visitor was killed.
Gul's daughters Muskaan, Rooma, and Zohra were injured.
Rescue teams transferred the injured to Civil Hospital Karachi.
“Encroachments on the mountain are illegal,” Deputy Commissioner West Asif Jamil said while talking to Geo News. “The residents who have illegally occupied the area are responsible for such incidents.”
The bomb disposal squad was solicited at the scene, sources told Geo News. DC Jamil said he was unaware of any such request.
Talking to Geo News, residents of the area saida similar incident happened a year earlier, however, no casualties were reported.
SP Baldia Town Asif Razak said the incident possibly took place because residents have continued to cut through the mountains with the help of explosives.
Residents of the area affected by the incident were requested to evacuate the houses.