Celebrating Mo's Birthday

31 killed in Pak stampede

"KARACHI, Apr 9: At least 31 women and children were killed and more than 50 others injured in a stampede during an Islamic religious festival here today, police said.

"Police officials feared the casualty list was likely to rise but refused to speculate.

"'At the moment, we are receiving news of injured being brought to various hospitals in critical condition. But at the moment we can confirm that 31 — 23 women and eight children —have been killed in the stampede while the initial injured list is 50,' a police spokesman said.

"The festival to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammad turned deadly on the congested exit of the campus where it was being held.

"The stampede started when a boy fell on the exit and his mother tried to pick him and save him from being crushed to death, eyewitnesses said.

"The site of the ceremony gives a horrifying look with shoes of the women and children scattered all over the exit.

"The programme was being attended by nearly 10,000 people, mostly women and children.

"Police said seven dead were brought to Jinnah Hospital while others were brought to Liaquat National hospital. (PTI)"

No insult to Islam here, of course. Bloodletting is in the Islamic tradition. Mo must be very proud of how things turned out at this little celebration in Karachi.