Basant in Lahore: One killed, five injured in kite-flying incidents

LAHORE: A human life was claimed, and at least five other people were injured in different kite-flying-related incidents in Lahore, according to rescue officials.

The Basant festival started early yesterday morning just after midnight on Thursday in Lahore, days after a more-than-20-year ban on it was officially lifted in Punjab, on claims of taking strict safety measures against possible accidents that might arise while flying kites.

The festivities are being held from February 6th to 8th.

Furthermore, according to sources, a 25-year-old male, Ali Rasheed, succumbed to death due to electrocution when he attempted to fetch a stray kite flying near the Sikh Canal, Baghbanpura. In the attempt, he climbed an electricity pole and thus touched the wires.

Among the victims, a 45-year-old Shabbir was injured when a kite string got knotted in the Gulshan Ravi area, and a young boy named Rafay was injured when a kite string got knotted in the Defence Phase 5 area of Lahore. In the same area in Lahore, an 8-year-old girl named Irsa was injured when a kite string got knotted around her neck.

Two more children, 12-year-old Abdul Wahid and 14-year-old Salman, were injured in retrieving stray kites. Wahid was hurt in the Lower Mall area, while Salman sustained wounds after attempting to retrieve a kite from a tree.

Immediate medical attention was provided to the injured by the rescue workers, and they were rushed to the nearby hospitals.

While the Punjab government had prohibited the use of metallic wire as well as nylon string, the installation of safety rods on motorcycles was made mandatory during Basant in Lahore.

In Lahore district, the deputy commissioner established quick response teams in each tehsil to look after the safety and monitoring of the public during the celebrations of Basant.