Search continues after minor boy falls into open manhole near Karachi’s Nipa Chowrangi

• Minor boy was couple’s only son, says grandfather.
• Protest erupts at Nipa Chowrangi after incident.
• Sindh government orders inquiry into the incident.
  

KARACHI: A three-year-old boy went missing late Sunday night after falling into an open manhole near Nipa flyover in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, prompting an immediate search operation by rescue teams.

According to rescue officials, the incident occurred at around 11pm when the child, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, slipped into the uncovered manhole outside a departmental store.

The family had gone for shopping, and, according to the father, the child ran ahead after slipping his hand away” before falling into the manhole.

Rescue teams began searching soon after the incident, but later halted operations due to lack of machinery. Officials told Brackly News that “no government department provided machinery” and that “no officer from any institution is present at the site”.

Following the suspension of the rescue effort, residents arranged heavy machinery on their own. Excavation is now being carried out through community assistance.

Ibrahim’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, said the child was the couple’s only son. He expressed dissatisfaction with the rescue operation and demanded additional machinery and faster efforts. The child’s mother reportedly fell unconscious following the incident.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked the road, burnt tyres and blocked traffic moving towards Hassan Square. 

However, both tracks of University Road from Nipa Chowrangi to Hassan Square were opened for traffic after the residents ended their protest.

Karachi mayor orders inquiry

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab said on Monday that an inquiry had been ordered after a three-year-old boy fell into an open manhole outside a departmental store near Nipa Chowrangi, adding that rescue work gets underway.

Speaking at KMC Sports Complex, the mayor expressed sympathy with the child’s family. “I want to offer my condolences and stand with the parents at this difficult time,” he said, adding that politics was being played even over this unfortunate incident.

Wahab said CCTV footage from the store was being obtained, while rescue teams were continuing their efforts. “The search for the child is still in progress, and we will assist the family in every possible way,” he said.

According to the mayor, the father had complained that machinery was not available late at night, after which the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) was directed to investigate. “If any officer is found negligent, action will be taken,” he said.

He added that the manhole outside the store had no cover and no complaints had been received from the area. “Some people will try to use this for political purposes, but I am part of the government, and such provocative statements do not help resolve matters,” he stated.

Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed earlier said an inquiry had been launched to determine why the manhole cover was missing. “Action will be taken against whoever is responsible,” she added.