Kite string kills five-year-old girl in Karachi, family urges end to ‘deadly game’

KARACHI: A five-year-old girl was killed after a kite string slit her throat while she was travelling on a motorcycle with her grandfather in Karachi’s Liaquatabad, prompting her grieving family to call for an end to the dangerous practice of kite flying.

The girl, identified as Saniya Noor Iman, was travelling with her grandfather when the kite string suddenly struck them.

Her grandfather, Naseer, said the string first injured his hand before cutting the child’s throat.

“We were travelling on a motorcycle when the string suddenly hit us,” he said. “It first struck my hand and then cut the child’s throat.”

He said they rushed to seek medical help, but Saniya died in his arms in the ambulance.

“For God’s sake, stop this game. Today I have lost my child, tomorrow someone else may lose theirs,” he appealed.

The incident occurred in the Liaquatabad and Teen Hatti area, with initial reports giving differing accounts of the exact location.

Police and rescue officials said she was shifted towards Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, but could not survive.

The tragedy plunged the family into mourning after the child’s body was taken to her home in Korangi.

Saniya’s father, Daniyal, called for kite flying to be completely stopped, saying no child’s life should be lost because of the practice.

He said his daughter was his eldest child and dearly loved by the family.

The five-year-old’s funeral prayers were offered at Ghausia Mosque in Korangi, where a large number of relatives and residents attended.

She was later laid to rest in a local graveyard amid scenes of grief.

The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by kite strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pedestrians, in Karachi.

In 2024,  in response to numerous incidents causing severe injuries due to stray kite strings, the Karachi Commission had imposed a ban on the sale and flying of kites within the metropolitan area.

Kite strings, especially sharp or chemically coated varieties, can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries when they come into contact with people travelling on motorcycles.