At least two people have died and 18 others were injured after a stampede broke out at a Pakistani TikTok star’s pre-wedding celebration, reportedly attended by thousands of fans.
The deadly crowd crush happened on Saturday night at a cricket ground along Daska Road in Sialkot, where social media personality Ansar Mehmood, better known as Mr Pattlo, had invited the public to join his celebration.
The event reportedly attracted a massive crowd after Mehmood extended an open invitation online, promising prizes that included a car and 50 motorcycles.
According to local reports, the situation turned chaotic when the venue’s gates were opened and an announcement allegedly urged attendees to enter the grounds all at once.
Police said the gates had remained locked until a large crowd gathered outside, triggering a surge of people when entry was finally allowed.
Two people were killed while 18 others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital following the incident.
Police have arrested six people in connection with the tragedy, while Mehmood remains at large.
A local police officer told Arab News: “Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident, while TikToker Ansar Mehmood alias Pattlo, who allegedly invited people to the wedding celebration through social media, remains at large.”
The case has been registered at Motra Police Station, with Mehmood named as a suspect.
Investigators are looking into whether the stampede resulted from alleged failures by the organisers to follow safety procedures and properly manage the large gathering.
Sialkot District Emergency Officer Engineer Naveed Iqbal said the rescue service had not been informed in advance about the planned gathering at the cricket ground.
Police said Mehmood could face charges relating to violations of safety standard operating procedures and permit conditions.
The TikTok personality, who is also known as Mr Pattlo, has more than 814,000 followers on the platform.
Authorities are expected to investigate the event’s organisation and crowd-control arrangements as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
