THATTA: A large pit, developed due to blasting of earth to retrieve stones for a crusher plant, claimed lives to two young sisters near the Ghulamullah area of this district on Friday.

The recent rains had filled the pit and residents of the nearby localities had to exercise extra caution while passing by it or allowing their children to play close to it. However, three young children living in the nearby Dars Dado village accidentally fell into it and two of them drowned.

The deceased girls were identified as Begum and Madhia, who belonged to the Bugti tribe.

A young boy accompanying them had also fallen into the pit but was rescued.

All the three children were taken to the Ghulamullah Health Centre, where doctors referred them to the Makli Civil Hospital. The boy survived but the girls breathed their last during treatment.

The bereaved families told the local reporters that the crusher plant was allowed to be operated close to the residential area and the blasting activity was creating deep pits, which were a serious threat to the lives of local residents.

They urged the authorities concerned to shift the plants at some place away from populated areas.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2024