For Karachiites, a good form of entertainment is always something that’s well received. In a city where having food is considered the only form of outing, amusement parks breathe a new life into the entertainment scene.
So naturally, people were very excited when it was announced that a new amusement park is coming to town, with more thrilling and adventurous rides.
And like, why would they not be?! Look at this!
And this…
But, the tragedy that has befallen Karachi’s amusement parks once again is something no one ever saw coming.
Yesterday, a ride at the Askari Amusement Park fell apart, reportedly taking along one life of 12-year-old Kashaf Dukhtar, and injuring multiple others.
The injured who were immediately shifted to the hospital are mostly reported to have been between the ages of 15 to 19 years old.
Ride falls in Askari Park #Karachi this evening. At least 12 people were taken to hospital. Unconfirmed reports say one person lost his life in the incident. pic.twitter.com/Jf9KQrDpKj
— azhar khan (@azharkhn4) July 15, 2018
People are questioning the safety standards of the rides at the park, some saying how these rides wouldn’t have been allowed to operate in other countries due to their worn-out condition.
This is not the 1st incident that happened at the Askari amusement park. An 8 year old girl has died because park owners have old rides that will not be allowed to operate in ither countries. Not only should the park management be held responsible but also the park authority.
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) July 15, 2018
According to other news outlets, the Mayor of Karachi, Waseem Akhtar, has dean manded inquiry into the incident, saying that the park was made operational without a test and safety measures.
“I don’t know who is overseeing the affairs of this park. It was earlier operated by KMC and then we handed it over to the cantonment. This is the park administration’s mistake. They should not have allowed children to take rides,” he said.
Not only that, here’s another very valid convern regarding the park’s rules and regulations:
This is the ride that collapsed at Askari Park today.
"A person below 16 years of age isnt allowed to take this ride. How a 12-year-old girl sat in the swing?" Samaa.#Karachi pic.twitter.com/rfjaNiyYPF— azhar khan (@azharkhn4) July 15, 2018
The ride which collapsed in Askari Park was the discovery ride which goes up in the air and spins. How did they allow an 8 year old child on it????
— Javaria (@JavariaWaseem) July 15, 2018
As soon as news broke, Pakistanis took to social media to express their thoughts regarding the incident.
Thoughts and prayers were tweeted out.
Amusement park ride fell down full of children in the newly opened Askari Park in Karachi. Thoughts and prayers with the several injured children, men and women and hoping that no further bad news come up regarding this. There's no quality and safety assurance unfortunately.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) July 15, 2018
People recalled previous instances where the management denied any misgivings with regards to the rides.
Remember this post by Askari Amusement Park ???
But now this ride has fallen which has caused 1 death and 10 injured till now.
No suprise these incidents happen in Pakistan and no safety/quality measures are taken#AskariPark pic.twitter.com/DV8exl6cSe— Mubashir Mahmood 🚧 (@mubashirmahmood) July 15, 2018
Many people were infuriated by this display of negligence.
A teenager girl killed, several injured in swing ride incident in newly inaugurated Askari Amusement Park in Karachi. Let’s see how many heads in Askari Foundation will be rolled for such criminal negligence!!!
— Owais Tohid (@OwaisTohid) July 15, 2018
Askari Amusement Park.
What happened to "Fauj managed enterprises are better"
Shame on everyone that was behind the negligence.
— Ariba (@aribbae_) July 15, 2018
People shared their stories too.
So I and my friends were all set to visit Askari Park today and we planned to try each and every ride but somehow the plan got postponed. Indeed, EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!
May Allah protect everyone who have been a victim of today’s incident. #AskariAmusementPark #Karachi— Leeezay (@Aleezaarshad) July 15, 2018
But people want to know – who is going to take responsibility for this?
10 people are injured and a girl is dead in Askari amusement park. Who's responsible?
— Aqse Zahra (@Aqseyy) July 15, 2018
Overall, people are beyond shocked and infuriated.
A little girl died due to the ride collapse in Askari Amusement Park, Karachi. Horrible negligence, this is. If you can't manage things properly, you shouldn't make it. Shouldn't.
— Sameer Siddiqui (@SenatorSameer) July 15, 2018
Saw a ride in #AskariPark collapsing. NUMB!
— Dawood Mirza (@dhmirzaa) July 15, 2018
This isn’t the first time that an amusement park in Karachi has seen a tragedy.
In 2017, four kids were injured by the swings at the Aladdin Amusement Park. In 2011, a man was killed on a “Crazy Bus” ride at the Sindbad Amusement Park. We hope that administrations of such leisure outlets start taking the safety of theit visitors seriously and eliminate sure occurrences in the future.
What do you think about the tragic incident? Let us know in the comments.
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Cover image via Twitter