Tragic accident at Milano: Pakistani rider dies, investigation underway to establish responsibilities.

A new road tragedy shakes Milano: a 44-year-old cyclist, Muhammad Ashfaq, originally from Pakistan, lost his life in a dramatic accident that occurred on the evening of Monday, December 30, at the intersection of Via Cadore and Via Comelico, in the Porta Romana area. Ashfaq, a rider for Glovo, was hit by a car driven by a 43-year-old man, with such a violent impact that all attempts at rescue were in vain.

The dynamics of the accident

According to initial reports, the accident occurred shortly after 21:00 p.m. Muhammad Ashfaq was cycling through the intersection when he was hit by the car that was coming from Piazzale Libia and was proceeding towards Via Anfossi. The intersection is regulated by traffic lights, and the local police officers of Milano, coordinated by commander Gianluca Mirabelli, are trying to reconstruct exactly which of the two vehicles ran the red light.

Witnesses at the scene said the driver may have been running a green light, but the investigation is ongoing. The driver of the car was tested for alcohol and drugs, both of which were negative.

The consequences of the clash

The impact between the car and the cyclist was devastating. Although Muhammad's electric bicycle remained almost intact, the rider violently hit his head on the asphalt, suffering a fatal injury. The 118 paramedics, who quickly intervened on the scene, urgently transported him to the emergency room of the Policlinico di Milano, where however the doctors could do nothing but certify his death upon arrival.

A tragic toll on the roads of Milano

The death of Muhammad Ashfaq is the second fatal accident involving a rider in 2024. Already in June, Adnan Qasim, a 34-year-old rider, lost his life in via Camaldoli, in the Ponte Lambro neighborhood, hit by a car while he was on duty. These tragic episodes raise important questions about road safety and the working conditions of cycle delivery workers, often forced to move quickly in city traffic.

With the death of Ashfaq, the road death toll has risen Milano for 2024 it rises to 27. An alarming number, which underlines the need for urgent interventions to improve safety on the city's roads, not only for motorists, but also for cyclists and pedestrians.

The investigations and possible consequences

Authorities are examining all hypotheses to determine who is responsible for the accident. Local police have acquired images from surveillance cameras in the area and are analyzing testimonies collected on the spot. The goal is to understand which of the two protagonists of the accident ignored the red light, causing the fatal collision.

There are currently no formal charges against the driver of the car. However, the developments of the investigation could lead to the opening of criminal proceedings if any negligence or violations of the traffic code are ascertained.

A necessary reflection on rider safety

The incidents involving riders open a broader debate on the working conditions of these workers, who face significant risks every day to ensure fast deliveries in the city. Often, the tight deadlines and the pressure to complete as many orders as possible push riders to take risks that expose them to danger, especially in an urban context like Milano, characterised by heavy traffic and sometimes unpredictable behaviour of road users.

In this sense, it is urgent that institutions and companies in the sector reflect on concrete solutions to improve the safety of riders, through initiatives such as road safety training courses, greater insurance coverage and the promotion of a culture of mutual respect among all road users.

A call for caution and responsibility

The tragedy of Muhammad Ashfaq reminds us how fundamental caution and respect for the rules are when driving a vehicle. Every mistake, every distraction, can have irreparable consequences not only for the driver, but also for those on the road. While waiting to know the outcome of the investigation, our thoughts go to the victim's family, deprived of a father and a worker, and to all those who risk their lives on the roads every day.