Karachi: 3-year-old falls into manhole, remains missing after 13-hour search operation

Three-year-old Ibrahim fell into an open manhole near Nipa, Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The incident was reported last night around 11 pm. Rescue teams searched for hours but were unable to locate the child, and the operation has been temporarily suspended. However, Ibrahim has still not been found.

Rescue officials stated that there were no heavy machines available for excavation, as no government department provided the required machinery, and no government officials were present during or after the incident. The machinery that was initially operating also left the site. It was further revealed that local residents themselves arranged machinery to begin the search operation.

The child was identified as Ibrahim Nabeel, who had accompanied his parents to a nearby departmental store for shopping.

According to his father, as they stepped out of the store, the child ran ahead. Their bike was parked near the manhole, and the child fell into it right before their eyes. The manhole had no cover. Meanwhile, the child’s mother’s condition deteriorated following the incident.

Also read : Three-year-old drowns in manhole in Karachi's Surjani Town

So far, no clue has been found regarding Ibrahim. Following the incident, residents began protesting at Nipa Chowrangi, shutting down the route from Nipa to Hassan Square.

Roads leading from Nipa toward Karachi University and Gulshan Chowrangi were also closed.

Mayor of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Dr Fawad, reportedly visited the site last night and raised serious questions for Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the KMC, and the PPP regarding the incident. According to Dr. Fawad, no KMC officials were present, and there was no machinery available, not even Red Line project equipment.

He questioned where the provincial government was at such a critical time and where the funds claimed by the Sindh government are being used, as they insist they have taken responsibility for the project.