Toddler falls into open manhole near Nipa Flyover, search enters 14th hour

The search for a three-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole near Nipa Flyover late Sunday night entered its 14th hour on Monday, as rescue teams awaited heavy machinery and sewerage maps needed to continue extraction work.

The child, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, slipped into the uncovered manhole outside a departmental store at around 11pm. The family had gone shopping when the boy ran ahead after pulling his hand free. “He fell right before my eyes, the manhole had no cover and a motorcycle was parked close to it,” the father said. The family resides in Shah Faisal Colony. Ibrahim was their only child.

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They further added that they were still waiting for sewerage maps and pipeline layouts to continue the operation.

As the delay persisted, residents arranged machinery on their own and began excavation with community support.

The incident triggered protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked the road, burned tyres and suspended traffic towards Hassan Square.

Protesters pelted stones at media teams, damaging several DSNG vans. Some demonstrators also tried to stop office-goers, as police remained passive on the scene. Traffic police diverted vehicles towards Rashid Minhas Road and Johar Mor.

Read More: Open sewers become death traps in Karachi

Ibrahim’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, said the boy was the couple’s only son and expressed frustration over the slow response. The child’s mother reportedly fell unconscious after the incident.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab on Monday, speaking at the KMC Sports Complex, expressed sympathy for the child’s parents. “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 incident.

The mayor said CCTV footage from the store was being obtained and that rescue teams were continuing their efforts. “The search for the child is still in progress, and we will assist the family in every possible way,” he stated.

Wahab added that the manhole had no cover and no prior complaints had been registered. Responding to criticism over the delayed availability of machinery, he said the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had been directed to investigate and that “if any officer is found negligent, action will be taken”.

Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed also confirmed an inquiry into the missing manhole cover, saying, “Action will be taken against whoever is responsible.”

Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed said an inquiry had been ordered to determine why the manhole cover was missing, adding that action would be taken against those responsible.

Deputy Mayor Karachi, Salman Murad, said KMC, KWSC and SSWMB staff had been alerted and instructed to locate the child as soon as possible.

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, who visited the site, accused the Karachi mayor of negligence, saying children, women, the elderly, and youth are at risk of being crushed under vehicles or drowning in drains.

He also criticised the provincial government for failing the youth in exams and denying them employment while living in luxury. Speaking to Express News, he warned that public anger is boiling and could erupt at any moment. Sattar noted that Chhipa and Edhi volunteers were leading rescue efforts and sarcastically suggested that the Water Corporation hand over its responsibilities to them.

Hafiz Naeemur-Rehman, Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, also condemned the authorities, holding the Water Board and Karachi mayor responsible for the child’s death. He said the administration had ignored the needs of the city’s 35 million residents and called on law enforcement to prevent such incidents.