QUETTA: A young girl lost her life and five members of her family were seriously injured after an overhead fibre-made water storage tank burst near their home in Quetta early on Sunday, police officials said.
The incident occurred at around 5am in Muslim Etihad Colony, a residential area of the provincial capital. According to police, the overhead tank, with an estimated capacity of around 50,000 gallons of water, suddenly ruptured, releasing a large volume of water with considerable force.
Officials said the tank, which was installed at an elevated position, was not structurally secure. When it burst, the water gushed into nearby homes, sweeping away a house located close to the facility. A young girl who was inside the house at the time died on the spot, while her father, mother and three other relatives sustained serious injuries.
Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the scene shortly after the incident. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors described their condition as serious. Hospital sources said the victims suffered multiple injuries caused by the sudden collapse of the structure and the force of the water.
Police said the water tank was part of a private water supply facility operating in the area. The owner of the facility has been arrested, and a case has been registered to determine responsibility for negligence. Authorities said further investigation is under way to assess whether safety standards were violated and if similar installations in the area pose risks to residents.
You May Also Like: Karachi Mayor Approves Rs4.2bn Plan to Revamp Four Major Road Corridors
Residents of Muslim Etihad Colony expressed shock and concern over the incident, saying that large overhead water tanks are common in several parts of the city due to chronic water shortages. Some locals alleged that many such tanks are installed without proper safety checks or adherence to building regulations.
“This tragedy could have been avoided if proper inspections had been carried out,” a local resident said, calling on authorities to review the safety of water storage facilities in residential neighbourhoods.
Police said they have arrested the owner of the water supply facility and further investigation into the incident is underway.https://t.co/gWiBg8W3w9
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 5, 2026
Officials from the local administration said they would conduct inspections of overhead water tanks and water supply installations across Quetta to prevent similar incidents. They added that action would be taken against those found violating safety rules.
Quetta faces persistent water scarcity, leading to the widespread use of private water tanks and tankers. However, safety experts warn that poorly constructed or overloaded storage tanks can pose serious risks, particularly in densely populated areas.
Authorities have urged residents to report unsafe structures and water facilities to relevant departments, while the investigation into Sunday’s incident continues.
Check out our latest video:
