20000402

7 killed, 6 hurt

due to electric shock

ATTOCK: Seven people were killed and six others injured when electric wires fell on them after snapping due to aerial firing by some irresponsible persons at a fair, 20-km from here on Saturday.

Some participants of the fair fired in the air resulting in the snapping of electric wires that claimed lives of seven persons, while injuring six others, Wapda officials told APP.

Six of the deceased expired on the spot while one succumbed to injuries in the hospital, the officials said.

"Coming back from the fair, a group of enthusiasts fired in the air with 222 rifle in village Bullianwala, some 20 km from here," said Superintending Engineer Rawalpindi Circle, Khawaja Manzoor.

The power supply was disconnected which was restored after an hour's efforts by the Wapda staff, he said.

Earlier, the local administration and Wapda authorities rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to a local hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (Iesco) Chief Executive Brig Waseem Zafar has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the incident.

A high-level inquiry committee headed by a senior official has been constituted to probe the reasons of the incident.

The Iesco chief executive has ordered the inquiry committee to submit its report within next 48 hours.ÑAPP