Kite Festival Turns Deadly

To Americans, kite-flying seems like a leisurely, child-like activity. Pakistanis, however, take their kite-flying seriously. Apparently, so serious that deaths result when kites hit the air. After authorities lifted a ban from a festival that resulted in deaths just last year, eleven were killed in another festival just a few days ago. Two died after their throats were cut by metal wire intended to damage rival kites. Five died from gun shot wounds from celebatory gun fire. Two fell from roofs and two more were killed by electrocution as they tried to untangle their kites from electrical lines.

This story seems somewhat unreal to me. How can so many die from such an innocent activity? Authorities should reinstate their ban on kite-flying and educate the people about kite-flying saftey. What is obvious to me (don't climb roofs or untangle string from electrical wire) is clearly not obvious to the Pakistanis.