At least 15 people have died due to heatstroke while attending the annual religious rites at a revered shrine in Pakistan’s Sindh province, an official said Friday.
Sarwar Shaikh, the in-charge of the Edhi Centre in Sehwanarea, said the death toll of devotees at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine hadreached 15 as the heat wave continues in various parts of the city for the lastfour days.
Thousands of devotees from all over Pakistan and even abroadconverge at the Lal Shahbaz Qalander shrine every year for the annual Urs.
The provincial authorities have often been criticised fornot making adequate safety and other arrangements for the devotees.
In February 2017, at least 90 people were killed and around300 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the shrine while theevening prayers were taking place and faithfuls were involved in Sufi rituals.
The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for theattack. Even after the horrific attack, the devotees continue to throng theshrine on a daily basis.
While Shaikh confirmed that the death toll of the devoteeshad reached 15, Deputy Commissioner of Jamshoro Fareeduddin Mustafa contestedthe claim and said seven people had died in the last four days in Sehwan city.