LAHORE: A series of accidents related to kite-flying claimed one life and left five people injured in separate incidents across the city on Thursday, rescue officials confirmed.
The fatality occurred in the Baghbanpura area, where 25-year-old Ali Rashid Kati died from electrocution after climbing an electric pole near Sikh Canal to fly a kite. In a separate incident in Defense Phase 5, a young man identified only as Rafi sustained injuries when a stray kite string, known as a manjha, slashed his neck. Similarly, in Gulshan Ravi, 8-year-old Arsa and 45-year-old Shabbir were both injured after being caught by the same hazardous string.
Rescue officials reported two further injuries. In the Lower Mall area, 12-year-old Abdul Wahid was hurt while flying a kite. Meanwhile, in Gulshan Ravi, 14-year-old Salman fell and was injured after climbing a tree to fly a kite.
The incidents highlight the persistent dangers associated with kite-flying, particularly the use of banned, chemically-coated or metallic strings (manjha), which can act as lethal blades and also cause electrocution. Despite official bans and crackdowns on the manufacture and sale of these strings during the Basant season, enforcement remains a challenge, leading to recurring tragedies that claim lives and cause serious injuries annually. Rescue services have reiterated appeals for the public, especially parents, to exercise extreme caution and adhere to regulations to prevent further loss of life.
