Six people were suffocated to death during ‘Shama Gul’ procession of Muharram in Rohri on the bank of Indus river in upper Sindh.
Several people were suffocated in the narrow alleys of Rohri while paying respect to Zareeh-i-Aqdas during historic 550-year-old ‘Shama Gul’ (lights off) procession in humid weather conditions, police said.
Rohri, a small city on the other bank of Indus river opposite to Sukkur, have quite narrow alleyways. A humid weather added to the deadly tragedy.
Thousands of mourners come from across the country to Rohri every year to participate in the historic mourning procession of Muharram.
In the procession at midnight lights are put out and proceedings carried on in darkness in accordance with centuries-old tradition during which the faithful offer prayers in silence as a mark of respect for the martyrs of Karbala.
The mourning procession passes through its traditional route through Shahi Bazaar, National Bank Chowk, Chabotra Chowk, Dhak Bazaar, Gajwani Muhalla and Wichoro Chowk, terminating at Dargah Haider Shah Haqani at Karbala Chowk. The procession next day begins from Karbala Chowk and, after passing through the GT Road, ends at the graveyard behind Rohri railway station.
According to Edhi sources, three of the six deceased mourners have been identified. They include Dil Sher, son of Morzada and a resident of Guddu, Hasan Pathan, a resident of Sukkur Local Board, and Mansoor, son of Bashir Ahmed and a resident of Halani. According to Edhi sources, three of the six deceased mourners have been identified. They include Dil Sher, son of Morzada and a resident of Guddu, Hasan Pathan, a resident of Sukkur Local Board, and Mansoor, son of Bashir Ahmed and a resident of Halani. Rescue sources stated that the dead and injured were shifted to Taluka Hospital, following which a large number of people also reached the hospital.
