Karachi has recorded at least 27 deaths in incidents involving open manholes and uncovered drains during 2025, according to the data compiled by independent sources up to December. The fatalities include both children and adults once again highlighting the city’s long-standing infrastructure and civic safety failures.
Officially compiled figures show that 11 people lost their lives after falling into open manholes, while 16 others died after slipping into open drains across different parts of the city during the year.
The first reported deaths occurred early in the year. In January, a six-year-old boy, Ibad, died after falling into an open manhole in Shah Faisal Colony. This was followed in February by the deaths of five-year-old Tayyab in Kashmir Colony No. 3 and three-year-old Asadullah in Khuda Ki Basti, Surjani Town. In March, a 55-year-old unidentified man died in North Karachi, while several other incidents followed in different localities.
Between April and May, multiple fatalities were reported, including three-year-old Abdul Rehman in Baldia Moach Goth, 45-year-old unidentified man in Banaras, 15-year-old Rajab in Mauripur Sher Muhammad Village, 10-year-old Sobia in Liaquatabad, and adults in Surjani Town and Orangi Town. Many of these incidents occurred during rain or in poorly lit areas where manholes were left uncovered.
A sharp rise in deaths was recorded from August onwards. In Mauripur Road, Gurminder, Landhi, Lyari, Northern Bypass and other areas, both adults and children lost their lives after falling into drains or manholes. On September 21, three people 22-year-old Vaishal, 19-year-old Shahid and 42-year-old George died near Garden Ghaas Mandi after falling into an open drain.
In October, two unidentified persons died near Super Highway Quetta Town, while a three-year-old girl, Ayesha, lost her life in Nusrat Bhutto Colony. Further incidents were reported in November in Korangi and at the end of the month in Gulshan-e-Iqbal near NIPA Chowrangi, where three-year-old Ibrahim died after falling into an open manhole.
Civic activists and residents say the deaths are preventable and blame repeated negligence by municipal authorities. Despite repeated assurances, uncovered manholes, broken drain covers and poor maintenance remain common across Karachi, particularly in low-income and peripheral neighborhoods.
The recurring tragedies have renewed calls for urgent repairs, accountability of civic agencies and a citywide audit of manholes and drainage infrastructure to prevent further loss of life.
