KWSC pit turns death trap

KARACHI:

An unattended excavation by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) in Manzoor Colony turned into a near-tragedy when a child fell into a deep, waterlogged pit, underscoring the dangers of official apathy and poor oversight.

The incident occurred near the Manzoor Colony pumping station in Chanesar Town, where excavation carried out by the KWSC had remained open, posing a danger to residents. The pit, estimated to be around seven feet deep and filled with water, had been lying exposed for days.

CCTV footage of the incident shows a child riding a bicycle when a motorcyclist suddenly appears in his path, while a pushcart vendor is also passing through the narrow stretch. With little room to manoeuvre, the child loses control and falls into the pit along with his bicycle.

The vendor immediately jumps in to rescue the child, while nearby citizens rush to assist. The child was safely pulled out due to the timely response of bystanders.

Residents told The Express Tribune that faulty water supply lines in the area have remained unrepaired for months, causing frequent leakages and water accumulation. They said the pit had filled with water due to a leaking pipeline.