Thursday 7 July 2011
Pakistan: Karachi violence 'kills 39' in three days
Pakistan: Karachi violence 'kills 39' in three days
Residents say they are terrified to go out in certain Karachi neighbourhoods At least 39 people have been killed in three days of violence between rival political groups in the Pakistani city of Karachi, security officials say.
The authorities said they had detained several suspects and were trying to take control of situation. The killings started on Tuesday evening in western neighbourhoods of Karachi.
The city is plagued by extortion rackets, mafia-run land-grabs and turf wars waged by armed groups linked to rival political parties.
Residents say they are terrified to go out as intense gunfire is still going on.
In many households, food stocks are running low.
One woman told the BBC there was no milk or bread left in her house to feed the family.
The violence so far appears largely restricted to certain areas, but it has on occasion spilled over into other parts of the city.
In one case, armed men on motorbikes stopped a mini-bus and shot dead five passengers.
In another, a five year old girl died when she was caught in the crossfire between rival groups. Karachi is not only Pakistan's main port city, but also a major industrial and commercial centre.
There are fears that with last week's resignation from the government of Karachi's main political party -the MQM - increased violence and instability could bring Pakistan's economic capital to a standstill.
Casualties in Dutch FC Twente stadium roof collapse
Casualties in Dutch FC Twente stadium roof collapse
BBC NEWS
The roof of FC Twente's stadium in Enschede after it collapsed FC Twente was expanding the stadium before the start of next season
Part of a stadium roof has collapsed in the Dutch city of Enschede, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen.
The accident happened during building work at the ground of top Dutch football team FC Twente. The victims are thought to be construction workers.
The roof fell on top of a bank of seats behind one of the goals - Dutch media say two girders had buckled.
"It collapsed with a huge noise like a house of cards," a witness told the Dutch news agency ANP.
Firefighter teams and police helicopters were at the scene shortly afterwards. Rescue workers had to free people from the rubble.
Peter den Oudsten, mayor of Enschede, said besides the one person killed, 10 were taken to hospital and three were treated at the scene.
Sniffer dogs were being used to check if anybody else was still trapped, he said.
No match was being played at the time. The stadium - called Grolsch Veste - is being expanded to accommodate 32,000 fans ahead of the autumn season.
Mr Den Oudsten said it was not clear what had caused the accident.
Click to play
Latest video of the collapsed roof with commentary from Siebe Brinkhof
However, local media said a crane had driven into the stand.
The club's chairman Joop Munsterman is thought to have left the team's pre-season training camp in Zeeland to return to Enschede.
Club director Jan van Halst said the club "is terribly upset. Our sympathy goes to the victims".
FC Twente are one of the top teams in the Netherlands. In 2010 they won the League One title, and last year came second.
They are playing in the qualifying round of next season's European Champions League and were scheduled to host a match at the Grolsch Veste stadium at the end of July or the beginning of August.
Map and photo of collapsed stadium roof in Enschede, Netherlands
Are you in the area? Did you witness the collapse? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
BBC NEWS
The roof of FC Twente's stadium in Enschede after it collapsed FC Twente was expanding the stadium before the start of next season
Part of a stadium roof has collapsed in the Dutch city of Enschede, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen.
The accident happened during building work at the ground of top Dutch football team FC Twente. The victims are thought to be construction workers.
The roof fell on top of a bank of seats behind one of the goals - Dutch media say two girders had buckled.
"It collapsed with a huge noise like a house of cards," a witness told the Dutch news agency ANP.
Firefighter teams and police helicopters were at the scene shortly afterwards. Rescue workers had to free people from the rubble.
Peter den Oudsten, mayor of Enschede, said besides the one person killed, 10 were taken to hospital and three were treated at the scene.
Sniffer dogs were being used to check if anybody else was still trapped, he said.
No match was being played at the time. The stadium - called Grolsch Veste - is being expanded to accommodate 32,000 fans ahead of the autumn season.
Mr Den Oudsten said it was not clear what had caused the accident.
Click to play
Latest video of the collapsed roof with commentary from Siebe Brinkhof
However, local media said a crane had driven into the stand.
The club's chairman Joop Munsterman is thought to have left the team's pre-season training camp in Zeeland to return to Enschede.
Club director Jan van Halst said the club "is terribly upset. Our sympathy goes to the victims".
FC Twente are one of the top teams in the Netherlands. In 2010 they won the League One title, and last year came second.
They are playing in the qualifying round of next season's European Champions League and were scheduled to host a match at the Grolsch Veste stadium at the end of July or the beginning of August.
Map and photo of collapsed stadium roof in Enschede, Netherlands
Are you in the area? Did you witness the collapse? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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