Tragic end: Missing child’s body found in manhole

KARACHI: The body of a missing child was recovered from a manhole in Mawach Goth on Wednesday, sparking protests by the family and residents.

A six-year-old boy, Ovais Ismail, went missing and the family had been searching for him for three days. "He left home to play but since then he went missing," said the boy's father, Ismail, a labourer.

The family blames the government for negligence. "He died after falling in an open manhole," said Ismail. "He could have been alive if the government had covered the manholes in the city," he lamented.



The victim's family, along with residents, staged a protest, along with the body, on the main Hub River Road.



Police reached the site and assured the protesters of their cooperation, causing the protesters to disperse.

The body was taken to Civil hospital where doctors confirmed that the cause of death was the fall.

Mawach Goth DSP Muhammad Saeed said the family had complained to the police some three days ago about their son going missing and despite searching, the police could not find him.

Local government minister Jam Khan Shoro demanded an inquiry. "Strict action will be taken against those responsible," he said in a press statement.

Separately, two sweepers, Mehmodd Masih and Modern Masih, of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, died after falling in a manhole in Mehran Town, Korangi. Police said the sweepers were cleaning the manhole when they fell into it.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2016.