KARACHI (Web Desk) – Search for a three-year-old boy who accidently fell into an open manhole near Nipa, Gulshan Iqbal area on Sunday night continuing after passage of 12 hours.
The boy, identified as Ibrahim, had come for shopping with his family. When the child came out of a store, he fell into an open manhole.
Rescue teams rushed to the area after being informed and started rescue operation. The rescue teams failed to retrieve the body of the boy from the manhole. The family and people protested against the local administration for failure to cover manholes and blocked the road.
Rescue officials said that since last night, excavation has been carried out at five locations in an attempt to find the child. Due to the absence of the officials from the relevant departments, they have been facing difficulties in the search operation.
According to sources, the staff of the Water and Sewerage Corporation and the KMC have not yet arrived at the site.
Earlier, Rescue officials had said that they did not have the machinery needed for excavation, and no institution provided them with any equipment. No officer from any government department is present at the moment, and even the machinery that was working in the beginning has left.
According to sources, after the rescue operation was halted late at night, people arranged heavy machinery on their own. Excavation is now underway at the scene using heavy machinery.
The child’s father said that after they finished shopping and stepped out, his son slipped away and ran ahead. Their motorcycle was parked near the manhole. The boy fell into the sewer right before his eyes; the manhole had no cover.
The child’s grandfather, Mahmood-ul-Hassan, said that the boy’s father was parking the motorcycle when the boy followed him and fell into the open manhole.
He added that Ibrahim was the parents’ only son. They are not satisfied with the rescue efforts. He demanded that more machinery be sent and the search be sped up.
PROTEST
At Nipa Chowrangi, citizens began protesting and blocked the road by burning tyres.
The enraged crowd closed the road leading from Nipa Chowrangi to Hassan Square. The road from Nipa to Karachi University and Gulshan Chowrangi were also blocked. The protesters pelted stones as well, and even attacked media personnel. Vehicles belonging to private TV channels were damaged.
The protesters said that the media had been present since last night, yet the administration still did not arrive. “The administration didn’t come the entire night—what is the use of the media?” they said. The Dunya News team was also held hostage at the scene.
SINDH GOVT RESPONSE
Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said that an inquiry has been launched to determine why the manhole did not have a cover, and action will be taken against whoever is found negligent.
Karachi’s Deputy Mayor Salman Murad also took notice of the incident and said that all rescue agencies have been put on alert. He has instructed that the child be found as soon as possible. Rescue teams and KMC staff are present at the scene, and personnel from the Water Corporation and Sindh Solid Waste are also there.
Rescue sources say that so far this year, 24 people have lost their lives in Karachi after falling into open manholes and drains. Among the deceased, 19 were men and 5 were children.
