Seventeen people died at Lahore’s 2026 Basant festival due to falls, trees, and electrocution, prompting legal action over safety and transparency.

Seventeen people died during the 2026 Basant festival in Lahore, including 12 from rooftop falls, two from collapsing trees, and three due to electrocution, according to a report submitted to the Lahore High Court. The incident prompted petitions challenging the Kite Flying Act, 2025, with demands for full disclosure of injury data, expenditures, and legal compliance. The court ordered the government to provide detailed records and respond at the next hearing, renewing concerns over public safety during the annual event despite existing regulations.