Karachi: Search continues to locate minor boy who fell into open manhole near Nipa Chowrangi

Karachi (Web Desk): A three-year-old boy, Ibrahim, fell into an open manhole late Sunday night near Nipa Chowrangi in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, triggering an hours-long rescue operation that has so far produced no breakthrough.

The child slipped into the uncovered manhole around 11 pm, and despite an extensive search, rescue teams have been unable to locate him even after 12 hours, prompting residents to stage a protest and block the main road.

According to rescue officials, excavation was carried out at five different points in an attempt to trace the child, but no progress has been made. Authorities said their efforts were hampered because staff from the concerned departments failed to arrive at the scene in time, and essential machinery was also not available when the operation began.

Sources confirmed that teams from the Water and Sewerage Corporation and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had still not reached the site for several hours.

Machines that were initially deployed were later withdrawn, forcing local residents to arrange heavy machinery on their own to continue digging.

The child’s parents said Ibrahim had accompanied them on a shopping trip. As they stepped outside, he suddenly pulled away and ran ahead, falling straight into the open manhole.

His grandfather, Mahmood-ul-Hasan, said Ibrahim’s father was parking his motorcycle when the boy slipped behind him and disappeared into the sewer opening left without a cover.

The family expressed deep dissatisfaction with the rescue operation, urging authorities to deploy additional machinery and speed up efforts. The boy’s mother is said to be in severe shock and has been crying continuously since the incident.

Meanwhile, anger erupted in the area as residents blocked Nipa Chowrangi, lit tyres on the road, and pelted stones during their protest. Several media vehicles were damaged after they came under attack by enraged demonstrators.

Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed took notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry, stating that investigators would determine why the manhole had been left uncovered. She assured that strict action would be taken against officials found negligent.

Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Murad also intervened, directing all rescue agencies to remain on high alert and ensure the child is found as quickly as possible. Teams from the KMC, Water Corporation, and Sindh Solid Waste Management are now jointly participating in the operation.