Kites of death

Lahore, Pakistan

The Pakistani Supreme Court has extended a temporary ban on making, selling, or flying kites, ruling that the sport has become too dangerous. Pakistanis engage in “competitive kite flying,” in which the goal is to bring down other kites. In recent years fliers have begun coating their strings with metal or glass fragments that can slice through opponents’ strings. Injuries are common, and last month a girl died after a kite string sliced her throat. But kite enthusiasts argue that thousands of people’s livelihoods depend on the kite industry. They want the ban lifted before next Basant, a spring festival traditionally celebrated with thousands of kites. Last Basant, 19 people died and more than 200 were injured, mostly falling from rooftops, where they were perched to catch the wind.

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