Tanveer, the 15-year-old, who recovered the body of three-year-old Ibrahim from a manhole in Karachi, clarified that he is not a trash picker but works at a grocery store.
The Karachi teenage rescuer’s story gained attention after his bravery was publicly acknowledged, as citizens appreciated his efforts on social media.
According to new developments, Tanveer and his father were called to the SSP East office, where senior police officials appreciated his courage, presenting him with a gift basket and offering him a flower bouquet along with a cash prize for his bravery.
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After receiving the gifts, Tanveer unfolded the events in a media talk, stating that the area became crowded as people learned a child had fallen into an open manhole and could not be located as 15 hours passed.
He explained that the internal drainage system splits into three directions, making the search extremely difficult, as flowing water carries anything inside toward multiple underground channels.
Tanveer said he observed the direction in which the water flowed more forcefully, assuming the child might have moved toward a stronger water current inside the drainage path.
READ: Karachi Nipa Incident: ‘Trash picker’ claims to have found Ibrahim’s body
“When I looked closely into the drain, I spotted the child’s foot,” he recalled, adding that he immediately climbed down and pulled Ibrahim out with great difficulty.
According to him, police officers stopped him while he was carrying the body and instructed him to hand it over, but he insisted he would only give it directly to the parents.
He stated that shortly afterward, the child’s family arrived along with media teams.
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Officials highlighted that Tanveer’s bravery demonstrated remarkable presence of mind, noting that his actions helped bring closure to the grieving family despite the heartbreaking loss.
Community members have also praised the teenager, with many calling for better safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in Karachi’s densely populated neighbourhoods.
The tragic death of Ibrahim has sparked widespread calls for accountability, improved municipal oversight, and immediate repair of open manholes across the city to safeguard children.
