The body of a three-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole near Karachi’s Nipa Flyover late Sunday night was found dead on Monday, ending a search operation that lasted more than 14 hours, rescue officials confirmed.
The body was recovered nearly one kilometre away from the spot where the incident occurred.
The child, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, slipped into the uncovered manhole outside a departmental store at around 11pm.
Visit Times of Karachi website for the latest news-related content daily
“He fell right before my eyes, the manhole had no cover and a motorcycle was parked close to it,” the father said.
The family, residents of Shah Faisal Colony, had only one child.
Rescue teams launched an operation soon after the incident but had to pause due to the lack of heavy machinery and sewerage maps.
READ: KMC orders construction of major road, drainage project in Karachi
As the delay continued, residents arranged equipment themselves and began digging with community support.
The tragedy sparked protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked the road and disrupted traffic towards Hassan Square.
Traffic police later diverted vehicles towards Rashid Minhas Road and Johar Mor.
Ibrahim’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, said the boy was the parents’ only son and expressed frustration over the slow response of the authorities, holding Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab responsible.
The child’s mother fainted after learning about the incident.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, speaking at the KMC Sports Complex on Monday, expressed sympathy for the grieving family. “I want to offer my condolences and stand with the parents at this difficult time,” he said, adding that politics should not be played over the tragedy.
Opposition members staged a protest during a Karachi City Council meeting over the child’s fall into a manhole near Nipa Chowrangi, raising slogans against the Karachi Mayor and even chanting “Mayor killer.”
Wahab said the manhole had no cover and that no complaints had been received earlier.
Responding to criticism over the delayed machinery, he said the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had been directed to investigate the matter and that “if any officer is found negligent, action will be taken”.
Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed confirmed that an inquiry had been launched into the missing manhole cover and stated that those responsible would face action.
Political figures, including MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, criticized the authorities in charge, holding the mayor and Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation accountable for the incident.
They pointed out the ongoing safety risks to children and residents posed by uncovered manholes and open drains.
