In a heartbreaking incident on Saturday, a four-year-old boy named Affan, son of Jasim, lost his life after being struck by a water tanker in Karachi’s Baldia Town. The accident occurred near Abidabad, where the child was reportedly playing and attempting to cross the road. According to police and rescue officials, the impact was fatal, and despite swift response from rescue teams, Affan could not be saved. His body was transported to Civil Hospital Karachi for formalities.
The tragedy has left the community reeling, with authorities now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police are working to trace the vehicle involved, but it remains unclear whether the tanker driver has been apprehended. The accident underscores a growing concern over road safety in Karachi, where heavy vehicles continue to pose a deadly threat to pedestrians and commuters alike.
This incident follows a wave of public outrage earlier this week, when mobs torched nine heavy vehicles between Wednesday and Thursday after a dumper struck a motorcyclist, whose driver fled the scene. The unrest prompted police to arrest over a dozen individuals, identified through CCTV and video evidence. Tensions escalated further when a tanker owners’ leader arrived at the site of a burned vehicle with armed men, challenging the arsonists. Senior police officials issued stern warnings to prevent further escalation.
While law enforcement has restored calm in the Central and East districts, with political and religious leaders urging restraint, anger simmers in many parts of the city. The recurring loss of life on Karachi’s roads paints a grim picture. Data from the Chhipa Foundation reveals that 80 people have died in road accidents in the first 99 days of 2025In 2025, vehicle-related fatalities included 17 from water tankers, 18 from dump trucks, 31 from trailers, five from Mazda trucks, and nine from speeding buses, totaling 80 deaths.Each number represents a family shattered by grief.
As Karachi grapples with this mounting toll, Affan’s death serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for stricter traffic regulations, better infrastructure, and accountability for reckless driving. The city mourns yet another young life lost too soon, while questions linger about when meaningful change will come to its perilous roads.
