Body of child who fell into Karachi manhole recovered

Rescue officials have recovered body of a child, who fell into a manhole in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi on Sunday night, after 14 hours of operation, Aaj News reported on Monday.

Rescue 1122, Edhi and other rescue organisations participated in the operations to recover the 3-year-old boy’s body.

The Edhi Information Bureau reported that the child’s body was brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medico-legal formalities.

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The Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the boy who drowned into the gushing water of manhole had come with his parents for shopping at a department store near Nipa Chowrangi. The child, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, reportedly ran towards the open manhole and fell into it.

The family and local residents said they continued the search for hours, but there was no sign of Ibrahim.

According to the child’s grandfather, they called all the relevant institutions throughout the night. Everyone answered the call, but after hearing the problem, they hung up the phone.

He claimed that the Mayor of Karachi’s phone was also switched off, and no one immediately started rescue efforts.

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The grandfather stated that if the search work had been started early in the night, the situation would probably have been different.

Addressing a press briefing on Monday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the authorities would investigate how the manhole remained open. He condoled with the victim’s family and assured them that those responsible for the incident would be brought to justice.

According to statistics, at least 20 people have lost their lives this year in Karachi after falling into open manholes and drains (gutters). These casualties include both children and women.