At least eight people were killed and around 20 others injured during violent protests outside the United States consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi on Sunday, according to local rescue officials.
Muhammad Amin, a spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation rescue service, said that eight bodies were transferred to civil hospitals in the city.
He added that most of the injured individuals sustained bullet wounds, although authorities have not yet provided detailed confirmation about the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
The protests broke out in response to recent US-Israel strikes on Iran, drawing hundreds of demonstrators to the consulate premises.
An AFP journalist at the scene reported that some protesters attempted to storm the compound by climbing over the main gate and entering the driveway area. Several windows of the consular building were smashed during the unrest.
Security forces intervened by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. Visuals circulating on social media showed protesters damaging property inside the perimeter, while the American flag remained visible atop the fortified compound, surrounded by barbed wire fencing.
Protesters expressed anger over the military strikes, with some shouting slogans supporting Iran and condemning the United States. A few individuals were heard calling the incident retaliation for recent developments in the region.
Meanwhile, additional demonstrations were reported in other Pakistani cities, including Lahore and Skardu. Authorities also anticipated gatherings near the diplomatic enclave housing the US embassy in Islamabad later in the day as tensions remained high across the country.
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