Elderly man dies after falling into open drain in Karachi

KARACHI: A 70-year-old man lost his life on Tuesday after falling into an open drain near the Kabaddi Ground in Korangi No 3, Karachi, police and rescue officials reported.

According to initial accounts, the man, identified by Chhipa welfare sources as Kaale Khan, a resident of Zaman Town, Sector 34/3, was walking along the roadside while pushing a bicycle loaded with goods when he suddenly lost his balance and fell into the drain. He succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.

CCTV footage of the accident, which later circulated widely on social media, shows the elderly man walking close to the edge of the road moments before slipping into the uncovered drain. The video sparked public outrage, with many criticising the lack of safety measures and pointing to broader urban negligence.

Khan’s body was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for legal formalities. Preliminary reports suggest the accident occurred due to the absence of a protective barrier around the drain. Authorities confirmed that further investigations are underway.

This tragedy adds to a growing list of fatalities linked to open drains and manholes in Karachi. Earlier this month, a 3-year-old boy, Ibrahim, died after falling into an uncovered manhole near Nipa Chowrangi, highlighting the ongoing public safety concerns in the city.