The tragic death of a three-year-old boy, Ibrahim, after he fell into an open manhole near Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s NIPA flyover has once again highlighted a long-standing issue that has plagued Karachi for years. In just the first 11 months of this year, 23 people, most of them children, lost their lives after falling into open manholes and drains across the city.

According to the Edhi Foundation, 10 people died after falling into open manholes, while 13 lost their lives after falling into drains during this period.

The released data shows that in January 2025, 6-year-old Ibad died after falling into a manhole in Shah Faisal Colony; on February 2, 5-year-old Tayyab fell into a manhole in Kashmir Colony No. 3; and on February 22, 3-year-old Asadullah died after falling into a manhole in Surjani Khuda Ki Basti.

Moreover, on March 18, a 55-year-old unidentified man died in North Karachi; on April 2, 3-year-old Abdul Rehman died in Baldia Mawach Goth; on April 7, a 45-year-old unidentified person died in Banaras; on April 16, 15-year-old Rajab died in Mauripur Sher Muhammad Village; on April 18, 10-year-old Sawera died in Liaquatabad; on March 20, 30-year-old Altaf died in Surjani Town; and on March 31, 37-year-old Zafar died in Orangi Town No. 5.

The body of a three-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal on Sunday night was recovered on Monday, more than 12 hours after the incident was first reported. (Image: Geo)

According to the data, on August 17, 38-year-old Altaf died on Mauripur Road; on August 19, 48-year-old Abbas died near Guru Mandir; on September 8, 40-year-old Iqbal Masih died near Landhi Murtaza Chowrangi; on September 12, a 30-year-old unidentified man died in Dhobi Ghat, Lyari; and on the same day, 7-year-old Asma died near the Northern Bypass.

Moreover, on September 21, three individuals, 22-year-old Vaishal, 19-year-old Shahid, and 42-year-old Suraj, died near Garden Ghaas Mandi; on October 4, two unidentified persons died near Super Highway, Quetta Town; on October 23, 3-year-old Ayesha died in Nusrat Bhutto Colony; on November 15, a 30-year-old unidentified man died near Korangi 2½; and on November 30, 3-year-old Ibrahim died after falling into a manhole near Nipa Chowrangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal.