Residents protest road safety negligence, demand accountability from city authorities
After 15 hours of intense search, the body of three-year-old Ibrahim, who fell into a manhole near Nipa Chowrangi, was recovered by Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) rescue teams on Monday. The boy’s body had traveled nearly half a kilometre downstream before being located.
Ibrahim, son of Nabeel from Shah Faisal Colony, had been shopping with his family when he ran ahead and slipped into the uncovered manhole outside a departmental store around 11 pm on Sunday. The boy was the family’s only child. His mother reportedly fainted upon learning of the accident.
Locals and volunteers had joined rescue efforts, which were initially hampered due to lack of machinery and sewerage maps. Residents later arranged equipment themselves to continue excavation.
The tragedy also triggered protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked roads, burned tyres, and temporarily halted traffic. Some demonstrators damaged media vans, and police diverted traffic to nearby routes.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab expressed condolences to the family, confirming that CCTV footage from the store is being obtained and that rescue efforts had been ongoing. He stated that the manhole had no cover, and the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had been instructed to investigate, with action to be taken if negligence was found.
Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed confirmed an inquiry into the missing manhole cover. Deputy Mayor Salman Murad said KMC, KWSC, and SSWMB staff had been directed to locate the child as quickly as possible.
Political leaders, including MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hafiz Naeemur-Rehman, criticized city authorities, holding the mayor and Water Board responsible. They highlighted the safety risks posed to children and residents due to uncovered manholes and drains.
“Safety and Accountability Concerns”
- Open Manhole Hazards: The incident underscores the public safety risks posed by uncovered sewerage infrastructure in Karachi.
- Delayed Rescue Efforts: Lack of proper machinery and sewer maps delayed rescue operations, causing community frustration.
- Accountability: City authorities and KWSC face pressure to identify and penalize those responsible for negligence.
- Public Outcry: Protests highlight the urgent need for systematic safety measures to protect residents, especially children.