One year on, man mourns death of wife, infant son in drain

Municipal authorities behind drain cover removal that left victims at risk still remain unidentified

KARACHI:

A year has elapsed since a tragic incident in which a woman and her infant son drowned in an uncovered drain due to the negligence of municipal authorities in the Shadman Town area of Central district. Regrettably, the names behind the removal of the drain cover remain unidentified.

On July 17, 2022, the municipal authorities had left the drain uncovered, intended for rainwater drainage along the road from Qalandria Chowk to Anda Mor. However, no safety precautions were implemented at the site to warn that drain is uncovered.

On that fateful day, heavy rainfall inundated the entire city, causing widespread flooding and submerging roads and streets.

Amidst this chaos, Danish, a resident, and his family, fell victim to the criminal negligence of the municipal authorities who had removed the sidewall and covers of the drain.

Danish and his three-year-old daughter Zoya were rescued after a strenuous effort by onlookers, yet his wife and two-and-a-half-month-old son Azaan tragically drowned.

Despite the arduous attempts of rescue volunteers, Azaan's body has yet to be recovered.

Following the incident, residents of Shadman Town Sector 14A and 14B staged protests, denouncing the removal of the drain cover and demanding accountability.

However, despite a year having passed, the responsible parties have not been identified. This lack of progress has left a once-happy family shattered.

Danish expressed his grief, stating that his world has been destroyed by the negligence of those accountable.

He lamented the lack of condolences from government officials and emphasised the absence of any accountability for the culprits, who continue to live without consequence and even receive pensions upon retirement.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2023.