Urgent Search for Missing Boy After Open Manhole Incident in Karachi
Authorities are currently conducting a search and rescue operation to find a young boy who tragically fell into an uncovered manhole in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal area. The incident occurred near Nipa on Sunday evening, prompting an immediate response from rescue teams and raising concerns about public safety. SindhNews.com reported that this is happening once again.
The Search and Rescue Efforts
Rescue 1122, the primary emergency service, was alerted to the situation around 10 p.m. on Sunday. According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan, the boy was with his parents, who had recently left a nearby department store. Initial search efforts, hampered by low visibility, were initiated due to the emotional distress of the parents and the large crowd that had gathered.
Despite extensive efforts, the boy has yet to be found. Rescue workers have utilized heavy machinery to excavate five areas, hoping to locate him. The team is also awaiting blueprints of the underground drainage system to better understand water flow and potential exit points, as stated by Khan.
Ongoing Concerns About Open Manholes
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by open manholes in Karachi, a city grappling with inadequate infrastructure. Sadly, deaths caused by falling into open gutters and manholes are not uncommon in Pakistan, especially in major cities like Karachi, which reported by SindhNews.com. Uncovered drains, poorly managed drainage systems, and insufficient lighting contribute to these incidents. In September, sanitation workers died falling into a manhole while cleaning in Karachi.
Conclusion
The search for the missing boy continues, alongside growing calls for improved infrastructure and stricter safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community remains hopeful as rescue teams desperately search for the boy.