Contaminated water kills two children in Karachi

* 1,500 sick in Gulshan-e-Iqbal town

Staff Report

KARACHI: Two children have died of gastroenteritis after consuming contaminated water and more than 1,500 people been affected in Munnu Goth, Essa Nagri, in Gulshan-e-Iqbal town.

The city government has set up a medical camp in the area. The deaths occurred on Saturday. Most victims are women, children and the elderly. They are being provided with treatment at the medical camp.

According to the Executive District Officer Health of the city government, Dr Khalid Sheikh, water was contaminated due to mixing up of water supply lines with sewerage lines.

More than 100 patients suffering from stomach disorders have been admitted to government and private hospitals in the city.

An official of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) attributed the water contamination to illegal connections acquired by area residents after breaking mainline water supply lines. This resulted in the mixing up of sewerage water with drinking water.

He said KWSB employees had to face stiff resistance from area residents when they tried to disconnect illegal connections. Most illegal connections had been removed, he said.

He said now water to the affected area was being supplied by water tankers and piped water supply would be restored after removal of all illegal connections.

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