By Our Correspondent
SIALKOT: A stampede at a mehndi ceremony and prize-distribution event organised by a popular TikToker in Sialkot left one person dead and at least 13 others injured, police and rescue officials said on Saturday.
The event was organised for Muhammad Ansar Jatt, popularly known as “Mr Pattlo”, at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road.
According to Sialkot police, a stampede broke out when organisers opened the stadium gates to allow people into the venue, causing several attendees to fall and sustain injuries. Initial reports put the number of injured at 14.
Rescue 1122 said Muhammad Aqeel, 30, died while being shifted to hospital due to his critical condition.
Police and Rescue 1122 teams jointly carried out a rescue operation and shifted the injured to Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital. Most of them were discharged after receiving first aid, while others remained under medical treatment.
Rescue officials said the injured were men aged between 22 and 51 and belonged to different districts, including Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Okara, Sialkot, Gujrat and Bahawalpur.
However, two Sialkot residents, Muhammad Asif and Aamir Ali, claimed that more than 40 people had sustained injuries. They said several attendees had taken the injured to nearby private hospitals and clinics for treatment before the arrival of rescue teams.
Sialkot District Emergency Officer Engineer Naveed Iqbal said Rescue 1122 had not received prior information about the large gathering planned at the cricket ground.
He said four ambulances and a motorcycle ambulance took part in the rescue operation.
Following the incident, District Police Officer Dost Muhammad also reached the venue with a large police contingent and Elite Force personnel.
