13 Pakistanis killed in Jordan fire: FO

As many as 13 Pakistani nationals, including seven children, four women and two men, lost their lives in a fire incident which broke out in their tent in Jordan, Foreign Office confirmed.

"It is informed with sadness that thirteen (13) Pakistani nationals including seven (7) children, four (4) women and two (2) men living in Jordan have expired due to fire which broke out in their tent," Foreign Office said in a statement on Monday while confirming their Pakistani nationalities. The fire reportedly broke out around 2:00am at night on December 2, 2019. The cause of fire has been reported as electric short-circuit.

It further stated that three Pakistanis were also injured in the fire incident and are reported to be in stable condition. All the victims were residing near Karameh city which is 40 kilometers west of Amman near the Dead Sea. The local fire brigade responded to the incident, it added.

The victims belonged to Joya Family from Dadu district in Sindh province. The head of family, Ali Sher Joya, has survived in the incident. The family reportedly migrated from Pakistan to Jordan in 1970s and they were associated with the agriculture and farming profession.

"The Pakistan Embassy in Amman is in contact with the family and relatives of the deceased residing in Jordan," the Foreign Office further said, adding that the ambassador and other senior officials are with family to provide any urgent assistance. The Jordanian authorities are also extending full cooperation, it added. The Foreign Office has also instructed the Embassy in Jordan to extend assistance to the bereaved family.

For further queries and any assistance, the following officer and official of the Embassy in Amman can be contacted: Hasnain Haider, second secretary/head of chancery at phone number 00962-796912676, and Majid Amin, additional assistant at phone number 00962-796417462.