A three-year-old boy went missing late Sunday night after falling into an open manhole near Nipa flyover in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, prompting an immediate search operation by rescue teams. According to rescue officials, the incident occurred at around 11pm when the child, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, slipped into the uncovered manhole outside a departmental store. The family had gone for shopping, and, according to the father, the child ran ahead after slipping his hand away” before falling into the manhole. Meanwhile, the incident sparked protests at Nipa Chowrangi, where residents blocked the road, burnt tyres and blocked traffic moving towards Hassan Square.
Traffic police said both sides of University Road near Nipa Flyover had been closed, with vehicles being diverted towards Rashid Minhas Road, Johar Mor. Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed said an inquiry had been launched to determine why the manhole cover was missing. “Action will be taken against whoever is responsible,” she said.