The injured persons were identified as Mohammad Idris (23), Ahmed Khalid (20), Sherula (26), Haseena and Athra. While Idris’s condition is reportedly critical, doctors said the others are recovering.
Police said the six were going to Lajpat Nagar from a Gurgaon mall when the accident occurred. Police said they were under the influence of alcohol. A police officer said, “Qasim was driving the car. When the car reached Rao Tula Marg flyover, it crashed into the divider, overturned and caught fire. While the others managed to get out, Qasim was trapped inside, and was charred to death.”
Qasim suffered 100 per cent burns. “Qasim’s legs were trapped between his seat and the steering wheel,” the officer said. Khalid was supposed to return to his home in Kabul on Friday, he added.
Police came to know about the incident around 5.30 am, when passersby made a PCR call. While Haseena and Athra were taken to Fortis Hospital, Idris, Khalid and Sherula were rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. The Fire department was informed, and tenders were rushed to the spot to put off the blaze.
Qasim had come to India in 2008, along with his parents, wife and sisters. He and Idris worked as medical facilitators-cum-translators at hospitals across the Capital, providing assistance to Afghan refugees. Naeem, brother of Qasim, said, “He did not tell me where he was going. He went out with a few friends and did not return home last night. I came to know only after I received a call from the police in the morning.”
Yusuf Zai, father of Idris said, “It is difficult to cope with a situation like this. We are away from home, and we don’t know anybody. As we are refugees, nobody helps us. This morning, doctors called to tell me that Idris was seriously injured. He didn’t tell me before leaving the house.”
Sherula had come to India from Kabul a week ago, and was supposed to return the next week. The parents of Khalid and Sherula, who are in Afghanistan, have been informed about the
accident.