Karachi Nipa tragedy: Search continues for toddler who fell into open manhole
Search efforts continued through the night near Karachi’s Nipa Chowrangi after a three-year-old boy, Ibrahim, fell into an open manhole in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, with rescue personnel failing to locate the child despite hours of operation. The incident sparked widespread anger among residents, who gathered at the site in large numbers and chanted slogans against the authorities, accusing them of criminal negligence for leaving the manhole uncovered. As emotions ran high, rescue teams were forced to halt the operation temporarily when protesters began pelting stones at media personnel and vehicles, damaging equipment and injuring several journalists. A DSNG van was also attacked, prompting news crews to withdraw from the scene. Protesters later burned tyres and blocked the main road, causing traffic disruptions around Nipa Chowrangi.
The toddler’s family, visibly distressed, remained present at the location throughout the night as rescue officials explained that the child had slipped into the uncovered manhole moments after the family stepped out of a nearby store. According to initial accounts, the boy ran ahead towards the road before falling into the open drain, which had reportedly been without a cover for several days. Residents claimed that repeated complaints to civic departments had gone unanswered, leading to the tragedy that has shaken the neighbourhood.
Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated to determine why the manhole had been left exposed. She warned that strict action would be taken against officials found responsible for negligence. The Deputy Mayor of Karachi also took notice of the incident, directing all rescue teams to intensify search efforts and stating that no dereliction of duty would be tolerated. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed grief over the incident and conveyed solidarity with the traumatised family.
The boy’s mother, speaking to reporters in a state of anguish, appealed desperately for immediate help, saying the family had no information about Ibrahim’s condition or whereabouts. She criticised the lack of prompt response at the time of the incident and expressed frustration over conflicting statements from civic bodies. According to her, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the Water Board continued to shift responsibility onto each other even as critical time passed. She added that the lights around the scene were switched off at one point, further hampering the search operation.
Authorities have assured that efforts are ongoing and that all relevant departments have been instructed to remain on high alert as the search for the missing child continues.
