A speeding dumper truck overturned onto a family’s vehicle early Thursday morning on Rashid Minhas Road, killing two and injuring two others. The victims were part of a convoy heading to Jinnah International Terminal to receive relatives returning from Hajj.
The deceased were identified as 55-year-old Shaheena Naeem and her seven-year-old niece, Ayesha, daughter of Khurram Kareem. The injured included Khurram, who was driving the double-cabin pickup, and his wife, Anam, 30. The family, residents of ROC Cooperative Housing Society, Scheme 33, was en route to welcome their uncle, Kashif Kareem, and his family, who had just completed Hajj.
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According to Saud Khan, Shaheena’s son, their convoy of four to five vehicles had stopped at the COD signal when an overloaded dumper truck, speeding recklessly, overtook from the left, lost control, and toppled onto their vehicle.
“The dumper crushed our car, burying it under sand and gravel. The driver fled immediately, leaving us helpless,” Saud said, his voice filled with grief.
Family members and witnesses criticized the delayed and disorganized rescue efforts. Saud claimed it took over three hours to extricate the victims, with rescue workers manually shoveling sand due to a lack of heavy machinery.
“There were no oxygen cylinders—rescue teams said they had run out. We pleaded for help, but the authorities failed us,” he said. By the time cranes pulled out the wrecked vehicle, Shaheena and Ayesha had already died.
The incident has reignited anger over reckless dumper drivers who often violate traffic laws without consequence. Police confirmed the driver escaped and remains unidentified, though witnesses suspected he was under the influence of drugs.
Traffic was severely disrupted for hours as officials cleared the wreckage. Grieving family members reportedly clashed with media at the scene, with one allegedly attacking a cameraman.
The tragedy has also highlighted Karachi’s illegal sand and gravel trade. Despite a ban under Section 144 in Malir district, trucks continue transporting material from Gadap and Memon Goth at night.
Chhipa Foundation spokesperson Chaudhry Shahid said the accident occurred around 3:15 AM due to the driver’s speeding. SHO Gadap City, Sarfraz, acknowledged that illegal mining persists despite restrictions.
Ayesha’s funeral was held in Buffer Zone, while Shaheena’s took place in Liaquatabad. Both were buried in the C-1 Area Graveyard.
