KARACHI, Pakistan, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A Ramadan holy month offer of free food produced a stampede in Karachi, Pakistan, that left a number of women dead, police said.
Reports on the death toll in the incident Monday in the Pakistani port city varied.
The New York Times, quoting officials, said at least 19 women were trampled to death at the Khori Garden, one of the city's poor localities where a local trader had organized the free-food effort. The Times said another 25 women were injured as they rushed to collect the flour and other items distributed as charity during the Muslim holy month when followers observe fasting during the day.
The Times of London put the death toll at 20, including children, with another 30 people injured. The report said the stampede occurred when a crowd of about 1,000 women and children panicked after electricity failed. The women tumbled over one another inside a narrow staircase.
The British newspaper said many of the victims suffocated while others were crushed.
Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said the incident could have been averted if his officers had been given prior notice, The Times of London. Police arrested the trader for negligence, the report said.
Pakistan is facing a shortage of flour and sugar and prices have shot up more than usual during the Ramadan month.
