A frightening incident in Karachi's Korangi area ended with a sigh of relief on Monday evening, as five people were successfully rescued after falling into a deep, open drain. The victims, including both adults and children, plunged into the hazardous waterway near Bilal Chowk, sparking an urgent rescue mission.
A Dramatic Rescue Operation
According to details from rescue officials, the accident occurred when the group, navigating the poorly lit and hazardous streets, accidentally fell into the unprotected drain. Local residents immediately raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Teams from the Edhi Foundation and local authorities rushed to the scene.
The rescue operation lasted for a tense period, with workers using ropes and ladders to carefully extract the individuals from the murky water. All five victims were successfully pulled to safety. They were provided with immediate first aid at the site and were reported to be in a state of shock but without critical physical injuries.
Infrastructure Negligence Under Fire
This incident has once again cast a glaring spotlight on the perilous state of public infrastructure in several parts of Karachi. The open drain, lacking any proper covering or warning signage, represents a persistent and deadly threat to residents. Such hazards are particularly dangerous during evening hours and the ongoing monsoon season, when visibility is low and surfaces are slippery.
Citizens and community leaders have expressed outrage, holding the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other relevant municipal bodies responsible for the negligence. This is not an isolated event; similar accidents have been reported in the past, leading to injuries and fatalities. The failure to secure these open drains constitutes a severe breach of public safety protocols.
Calls for Accountability and Immediate Action
Following the rescue, there have been loud demands for immediate corrective action. Local representatives and activists are calling for a city-wide audit of all open drains, manholes, and under-construction sites to prevent future tragedies. They insist that the relevant authorities must be held accountable for their failure to maintain basic infrastructure.
The incident near Bilal Chowk serves as a stark reminder of the everyday dangers faced by Karachi's populace due to administrative apathy. While the quick work of the rescue teams averted a major disaster this time, the underlying problem remains unaddressed. Officials must prioritize covering these death traps and implementing stringent monitoring to ensure public spaces are safe for all, especially children and the elderly who are most vulnerable.
Until concrete steps are taken, the residents of Korangi and countless other neighborhoods across the city continue to live with the fear of such preventable accidents lurking around every corner.
