Mayor says CCTV footage from the store is being obtained, rescue teams are continuing efforts
The search for a three-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole near the Nipa Flyover late Sunday night entered its 14th hour on Monday as rescue teams awaited heavy machinery and sewer maps needed to continue extraction work.
The child, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, slipped into the uncovered manhole outside a department store around 11pm. The family was shopping when the boy ran ahead after pulling his hand free. “He fell right in front of my eyes, the manhole had no cover and a motorcycle was pulling up close to it,” the father said. The family lives in Shah Faisal Colony. Ibrahim was their only child.
Read: Open manholes endanger public safety
Rescue teams launched a search soon after the incident, but later stopped operations due to the absence of machinery.
They further added that they were still waiting for sewer maps and pipeline layout to continue operations.
As the delay continued, residents arranged machinery on their own and began excavating with the support of the local community.
The incident sparked protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked the road, burnt tires and suspended traffic towards Hassan Square.
Protesters threw stones at media teams and damaged several DSNG vans. Some protesters also tried to stop office goers as the police remained passive at the scene. Traffic police diverted vehicles towards Rashid Minhas Road and Johar Mor.
Read more: Open sewers are turning into death traps in Karachi
Ibrahim’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, said the boy was the couple’s only son and expressed frustration at the slow response. The child’s mother reportedly fell unconscious after the incident.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab on Monday, speaking at the KMC Sports Complex, expressed sympathy for the child’s parents. “I want to express my condolences and stand with the parents at this difficult time,” he said, adding that no politics should be played over the incident.
The mayor said CCTV footage from the store was being obtained and rescue teams were continuing their efforts. “The search for the child is still ongoing and we will assist the family in every way possible,” he said.
Wahab added that the manhole had no cover and no previous complaints had been registered. Responding to criticism over the delayed availability of machines, he said the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had been asked to investigate and that “if any officer is found negligent, action will be taken”.
Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed also confirmed an investigation into the missing well cover and said: “Action will be taken against whoever is responsible.”
Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed said an inquiry had been ordered to determine why the well cover was missing, adding that action would be taken against those responsible.
Deputy Mayor Karachi, Salman Murad, said KMC, KWSC and SSWMB staff had been alerted and instructed to locate the child as soon as possible.
MQM leader Dr. Farooq Sattar, who visited the site, accused Karachi’s mayor of negligence and said children, women, the elderly and youth are at risk of being crushed under vehicles or drowning in drains.
He also criticized the provincial government for failing the youth in exams and denying them employment while they lived in luxury. speaks to Express newshe warned that public anger is simmering and could erupt at any time. Noting that Chhipa and Edhi volunteers were leading the rescue efforts, Sattar sarcastically suggested that the Water Corporation hand over its responsibility to them.
Hafiz Naeemur-Rehman, emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, also condemned the authorities, holding the water board and Karachi’s mayor responsible for the child’s death. He said the administration had ignored the needs of the city’s 35 million residents and urged law enforcement to prevent such incidents.
