Body of three-year-old boy Ibrahim, who fell into an open manhole near Nipa flyover in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on Sunday night, was recovered by rescue officials on Monday after a 15-hour-long operation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The child went missing late Sunday night after he fell into the uncovered manhole near a departmental store where he came with his family for shopping.
Rescue teams located the dead body in a drain approximately one kilometre from the incident site. The body was recovered around 15 hours after the accident.
‘For God’s sake, save my child'
“Khuda ke liye mera bacha bacha lo (For God’s sake, save my child),” cried the hysterical mother after her little son fell into the open manhole and disappeared into sewage on Sunday night in Karachi.
Despite the passage of hours, rescue teams failed to recover three-year-old boy, Ibrahim, who fell into the open gutter covered with a cardboard near Nippa Chowrangi in Karachi.
According to details, Ibrahim along with his family was coming out of a departmental store along with his parents when he suddenly broke free from his parents' hands and ran away.
The motorcycle of the boy’s father was parked near the manhole in which the boy fell.
Soon after the incident, an angry crowd blocked the road leading to Gulshan-e-Iqbal by burning tyres.
Mother Ayesha said she has two children – a girl and the little Ibrahim. “We do not support any political party and since last night nothing has happened here. So much time has wasted, I don’t know where my little angel would be,” she said.
Ayesha said they did not ask anyone to stage protest and the local residence have on their own blocked the road by placing a water tanker which caused severe traffic problem.
The boy’s father, Nabeel, told media men that none of town administration, Karachi Mayor or Sindh government contacted them. “We have not moved from here since last night,” Nabeel added.
The authorities have deployed heavy machinery to dug out the water channel in an attempt to find the boy.
Deputy Mayor of Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad took notice of the incident. He asked, “Why wasn't there a manhole lid to cover it?” He directed impartial inquiry into the incident.
Spokesman of the Sindh government Sadia Javed said that due to maintenance work in the area, CCTV cameras were not functioning.
She assured that strict action would be taken against the persons who showed negligence and carelessness.
Mayor Wahab: ‘Don’t do politics on this tragedy’
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab on Monday said that he is in contact with the deputy commissioner, BRT, and municipal services for the recovery of the boy.
He said KMC, KWSC, and SSWMB staff were present at the site, with instructions to locate the child as soon as possible.
He expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow to the parents of the boy over the tragic incident.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab said no one will be allowed to politicize this tragic incident. He said that efforts are underway to obtain CCTV footage of the incident.
Murtaza Wahab assured the parents of the boy that the rescue operation is still underway and all available resources are being used to provide relief to the victim’s family.
The mayor said that we also do politics on the issue. Murtaza Wahab was directed to investigate the Water Corporation the issue of non-availability of machinery. He said that opponents will use it for political purposes.
Murtaza Wahab said that Water Corporation installed 88,000 sewer covers in one year. He said the gutter in which the boy fell is not a sewer; it's a storm drain.
The mayor said that hypocrites think about political goals; I think about the people. He went on to say that what authority is needed to put a lid on the tar? May Allah guide all the hypocrites.
Reporter: Usama Malik