The body of a three-year-old boy who fell into an uncovered manhole near Nipa Flyover in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area was recovered on Monday, rescue officials confirmed.
The child went missing late Sunday night after slipping into the open manhole outside a departmental store.
Rescue teams located the body about one kilometre from the site, 14 hours after the incident.
According to the boy’s father, the child ran ahead while shopping with the family before slipping into the manhole.
Rescue operations were initially halted due to a lack of machinery, with officials reporting no government assistance on site.
Residents later arranged heavy machinery themselves to continue the search.
Ibrahim’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, expressed frustration over the delayed rescue efforts, stating that the child was the couple’s only son.
Reports also say the child’s mother fainted following the incident.
The tragedy sparked protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked roads, burnt tyres, and disrupted traffic towards Hassan Square.
Both tracks of University Road were later reopened after the protest ended.
Karachi mayor orders inquiry
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said on Monday that an inquiry had been ordered after a three-year-old boy fell into an open manhole outside a departmental store near Nipa Chowrangi.
Speaking at KMC Sports Complex, the mayor expressed sympathy with the child’s family.
“I want to offer my condolences and stand with the parents at this difficult time,” he said, adding that politics was being played even over this unfortunate incident.
Wahab said CCTV footage from the store was being obtained, while rescue teams were continuing their efforts. “The search for the child is still in progress, and we will assist the family in every possible way,” he said.
According to the mayor, the father had complained that machinery was not available late at night, after which the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) was directed to investigate. “If any officer is found negligent, action will be taken,” he said.
He added that the manhole outside the store had no cover and no complaints had been received from the area.
“Some people will try to use this for political purposes, but I am part of the government, and such provocative statements do not help resolve matters,” he stated.
Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed earlier said an inquiry had been launched to determine why the manhole cover was missing. “Action will be taken against whoever is responsible,” she added.
