Karachi Mayor Vows Action After Child Falls Into Open Manhole, CCTV Footage Under Review

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that CCTV footage is being retrieved to determine how long the manhole cover had been missing.

Speaking to the media, the mayor criticized the tendency to politicize every mishap, saying that such behavior only clouds the real issues. He stressed that the administration was fully engaged in the rescue efforts, adding that he was in constant contact with the teams on the ground.

Wahab extended heartfelt sympathy to the boy’s parents, calling the incident a sorrow that strikes at the soul. He assured the public that a comprehensive inquiry would be carried out and promised strict action against anyone found negligent.

According to the mayor, the Managing Director of the Water Board has already been instructed to open an immediate investigation.

Highlighting the progress of the rescue operation, Wahab said that emergency teams were working around the clock, and nearly 500 meters of the drain had already been dug up. He also noted that fiery statements and blame games only create hurdles rather than solutions.

The mayor revealed that the city installed nearly 88,000 manhole covers in the past year. He added that while the municipal helpline regularly receives requests for missing covers, no complaint had been lodged about the exact spot where the child fell.

Wahab also postponed the inauguration of the KMC Sports Complex, saying the city was too heavy hearted for celebration. He vowed that every responsible individual would be held accountable and emphasized that measures would be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Meanwhile, Karachi’s Deputy Commissioner East said that the rescue mission was no easy task, but all departments were working collectively. He confirmed that nearly 100 meters of the main drain had been excavated so far, and teams were striving to recover the child as soon as possible.

The investigation will also examine whether an open manhole outside a nearby departmental store played any role in the incident, as authorities aim to bring all facts to the forefront.