Tragedy in Korangi reignites concerns over uncovered manholes and civic negligence
An eight-year-old boy lost his life after falling into an uncovered sewer in Mehran Town, Korangi, police said on Monday, in yet another incident highlighting Karachi’s long-standing infrastructure and safety failures.
According to police officials, the child — identified as Dilbar — was playing outside his home when he slipped into an open sewer. Neighbouring children alerted the family, after which Dilbar’s uncle managed to retrieve his body from the drain.
Police said the body was shifted to a hospital for completion of legal formalities. Family members confirmed that Dilbar was the only child of his parents.
Family blames missing sewer cover
Speaking to the media outside Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Dilbar’s father Azhar Ali said the tragedy could have been prevented, claiming the sewer cover had been missing for more than a month.
“My son was playing near the sewer when he fell in because there was no cover,” he said, holding local authorities responsible for negligence.
Deputy mayor vows action
Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad visited the bereaved family’s residence to offer condolences, stressing that his visit was not politically motivated.
“I came here to express sympathy, not to do politics,” Murad told reporters.
He said he had contacted the relevant town chairman, who was out of the city at the time, and added that the union council chairman had been provided with 10 sewer covers ten days earlier. Murad vowed strict action against officials and elected representatives found responsible for the lapse.
Although he noted that the town administration and UC chairman did not belong to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Murad said accountability would be ensured regardless of political affiliation.
“The child who died is our child too. We will take the same action as we did after the Nipa incident,” he said.
A recurring tragedy
The incident comes barely a month after the death of three-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim, who fell into an uncovered manhole near the Nipa flyover on November 30. That case sparked widespread outrage on social media, with citizens reportedly pooling money to arrange rescue equipment themselves.
Ibrahim’s body was recovered nearly 14 hours later. Following the incident, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the family, apologised, and promised an impartial investigation. Several government officials were suspended in the aftermath.
However, controversy resurfaced last week when a police committee termed Ibrahim’s death an “accident,” stating that no cognisable offence was made out based on parental statements and available evidence.
Growing public anger
Dilbar’s death has once again intensified public anger over uncovered sewers and manholes across Karachi, with residents demanding urgent structural reforms, routine inspections, and strict accountability to prevent further loss of life.
