118 ‘Basant casualities’ reported so far

LAHORE: Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi has appealed to the Lahorites to play their due role in making Basant-2026 safe as more and more cases of people falling from rooftops while catching stray kites are being reported.

The home department has received around 118 cases of accidents relating to Basant until the filing of this report in the control room of the home department for the first two days of the festival.

There were six casualties in total, four from falling from rooftops, and one each from the cases when the young boys tried to climb the electric pole and the tree to try catching the kite. There have been around 112 injuries due to twine used in the kites.

In a video message issued on Saturday, Dr. Qazi said the government was taking measures to ensure the three-day Basant was celebrated with complete safety.

He further said, “all departments such as police, traffic police, district administration, rescue 1122, and health were actively performing their duties."

“The government has ensured implementation of all safety measures and protocols, including installation of safety rods on all motorcycles,” he added.