15 Killed As Rickshaw Carrying Wedding Guests Plunges Into Canal In Pakistan

A tragic accident occurred in Pakistan's Punjab province on Tuesday when a rickshaw carrying guests to a wedding plunged into a canal, resulting in at least 15 deaths, including women and children. The incident took place in Kot Addu, located in Muzaffargarh district, approximately 350 kilometers from Lahore. According to Punjab Emergency Rescue 1122, three rickshaws were part of the wedding procession when one of them lost control, believed to be due to overspeeding, and fell into the Muzaffargarh Canal.

A rescue operation was initiated after three individuals swam through the canal to alert Rescue 1122. Subsequently, local people and rescue officials managed to rescue eight individuals and transport them to a nearby hospital. Police reported that 12 bodies were recovered from the canal on Tuesday. On Wednesday, three more bodies were retrieved from the canal, bringing the death toll to 15. The bodies were found between 5 kilometers and 20 kilometers from the accident site.

The canal in question is estimated to be between 12 feet and 15 feet deep and 100 feet and 120 feet wide, with water flowing at a rate of 2,500 to 4,000 cusecs. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her deep sorrow over the tragic incident and conveyed her condolences to the affected families.