5 dead as rescue boat capsizes in Pak’s Punjab
LAHORE, Sep 7: Five people were killed when a rescue boat carrying flood victims capsized in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The incident occurred in Jalalpur Pirwala, around 350 km from Lahore. Floods have caused over 900 deaths in rain and flood-related incidents across the country since late June. Around 30 flood victims were on board when the rescue boat overturned due to strong water currents. Five people, a woman and four children, drowned as they were without life jackets, while the others were rescued. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that both official and private rescue boats must not be overloaded under any circumstances and should be equipped with the required life jackets. The death toll related to floods in Punjab has climbed to 56 since August 23, and 4.1 million people have been affected by the floods. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that 907 people have lost their lives and 1,044 others have been injured in rain and flood-related incidents since late June. (PTI)
Fire destroys over 40 shops in Afghanistan
KABUL, Sep 7: A fire in Afghanistan’s Takhar marketplace destroyed over 40 shops, causing significant damage to the community and destroying vital livelihood resources. The fire spread rapidly across interconnected stalls, causing local residents to struggle for three hours to control it. The fire also destroyed machinery for timber-selling and wheat-milling stalls, causing social and economic repercussions. The lack of professional firefighting services in provincial marketplaces highlights the vulnerability of these areas. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, with speculation ranging from electrical faults to arson. The fire has further exacerbated existing hardships in Takhar province. Similar incidents have occurred in western Kabul, highlighting the need for improved fire prevention and emergency response mechanisms. The incident highlights the need for timely information from authorities to reassure people and mitigate future risks. (IANS)
Melbourne CBD shooting leaves man dead
SYDNEY, Sep 7: A man has died after being shot in Melbourne, Australia, in the early hours of Sunday. The 26-year-old victim was standing with a group of associates in the central business district when he was shot by an unknown assailant in a vehicle around 3.40 a.m. He was taken to a hospital by his associates but died from his injuries shortly after. Detective Inspector Graham Banks confirmed that the incident is being treated as a targeted attack and confirmed that the victim was known to police. Significant police resources will be deployed to find the killer due to the location and nature of the shooting. The victim’s associates have been urged to contact the police to aid the investigation. A man and woman were hospitalised with serious injuries following a shooting and car crash in Melbourne’s northern suburbs on September 1. (IANS)