A heartbreaking incident occurred on Sunday when a six-year-old boy tragically lost his life after falling into an open manhole in Karachi’s Shah Faisal Colony. The victim, identified as Ibad, was playing near a marriage hall when he unexpectedly fell into the uncovered gutter and drowned. His body was later recovered from a drain underneath the Korangi bridge, approximately two kilometers from the site of the accident.
Ibad, a resident of Kala Pul, had come to his uncle’s house in Shah Faisal Colony to attend an “Aqeeqa ceremony.” His father, who works in Dubai, was not present at the time of the incident. While the family stated they did not wish to pursue legal action, the incident raises serious concerns about the safety of open manholes in the city.
This tragedy adds to a worrying pattern, with 19 children losing their lives in similar accidents involving uncovered manholes in Karachi last year alone. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures.
In response, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed his concern and spoke to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, urging immediate action to prevent such accidents in the future. The Governor emphasized the importance of a joint strategy to address the dangers posed by open manholes, while the mayor reassured that efforts are underway to address the issue.
