Yet another incident of a child falling into an open manhole has been reported in the city, this time in Manghopir’s Garam Chashma area, raising fresh concerns about the deteriorating state of civic safety.
First-grade student, Anaya Ameen, of a private school slipped into an uncovered manhole located right outside her school in Union Committee No 2 as she was returning home after classes.
The manhole was reportedly 4 to 5 feet deep, but with very little water inside. A passerby who witnessed the incident immediately jumped in and rescued the girl, preventing a tragedy. Eyewitnesses said several manholes in the area were still open, posing a constant threat to schoolchildren and other residents. The girl’s parents rushed to the school upon learning about the incident, while police also reached the scene shortly afterward.
According to the police, multiple sewerage covers were missing in the neighbourhood. They added that the child slipped into an open manhole, but luckily a citizen present at the spot saved her.
The incident comes just days after the tragic Nipa Chowrangi case, in which a young boy lost his life after falling into an open manhole. Despite that tragedy, locals say no significant action had been taken citywide to cover open manholes. They criticised the Sindh government and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab for failing to ensure public safety, despite repeated assurances.
Town Chairman Nawaz Brohi, who was called to the scene, said he had already provided manhole covers to the UC Chairman, adding that it remained unclear why they were not installed. Sources further revealed that the relevant authorities had been informed about the incident, but the manhole in question still remained uncovered.
Residents had warned that if immediate administrative measures were not taken, such negligence would continue to endanger the lives of children and citizens across Karachi. It is worth mentioning that after the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, who fell into an open manhole near Nipa Chowrangi, the government took strict action, suspending and transferring several officials, including the DC East and SSP East. However, despite these measures, such incidents continue to occur.
