Following a powerful earthquake in Karachi, over 200 inmates seized the opportunity to escape from Malir Jail. While authorities have recaptured around 80, more than 130 are still on the run, prompting a city-wide search. Families of inmates are demanding information as the prison's management faces scrutiny amid rising tensions.
Over 200 Inmates Escape Karachi Jail Amid Earthquake Chaos
Over 200 Inmates Escape Karachi Jail Amid Earthquake Chaos
A natural disaster leads to mass prison break in Pakistan's largest city, with ongoing manhunt for remaining escapees.
Article text:
A significant incident unfolded in Karachi, Pakistan, as more than 200 inmates fled from Malir Jail following an earthquake that struck the region early Tuesday morning. The tremors prompted a panic among the prison population, leading them to force open their cell doors, shatter windows, and rush towards the main gates.
According to local police reports, the inmates, fearing for their safety as the building shook, began to cry out for help from midnight onward. In the chaos, they took drastic measures to escape. Initially, police fired warning shots to restore order, which managed to persuade some inmates to return; however, a total of 216 escaped during the upheaval.
Currently, law enforcement has successfully recaptured approximately 80 of the escapees, but searches continue for over 130 who remain at large. Tragically, during the operation to regain control, one prisoner was killed, and two prison officers suffered injuries.
The facility known for its overpopulation, housing around 5,000 inmates when its capacity is only 2,200, raises concerns about security protocols and overall management. The province’s prison minister, Ali Hassan Zardari, has announced an investigation into the events, suggesting that any officers found negligent may face disciplinary measures.
Families of inmates have expressed their frustration, gathering outside the prison, demanding clearer communication and information regarding their loved ones, especially as visitations have been postponed indefinitely. While prison authorities maintain that the escape was due not to security failures but rather a natural disaster, the situation highlights the vulnerabilities within the prison system in such emergencies.
A significant incident unfolded in Karachi, Pakistan, as more than 200 inmates fled from Malir Jail following an earthquake that struck the region early Tuesday morning. The tremors prompted a panic among the prison population, leading them to force open their cell doors, shatter windows, and rush towards the main gates.
According to local police reports, the inmates, fearing for their safety as the building shook, began to cry out for help from midnight onward. In the chaos, they took drastic measures to escape. Initially, police fired warning shots to restore order, which managed to persuade some inmates to return; however, a total of 216 escaped during the upheaval.
Currently, law enforcement has successfully recaptured approximately 80 of the escapees, but searches continue for over 130 who remain at large. Tragically, during the operation to regain control, one prisoner was killed, and two prison officers suffered injuries.
The facility known for its overpopulation, housing around 5,000 inmates when its capacity is only 2,200, raises concerns about security protocols and overall management. The province’s prison minister, Ali Hassan Zardari, has announced an investigation into the events, suggesting that any officers found negligent may face disciplinary measures.
Families of inmates have expressed their frustration, gathering outside the prison, demanding clearer communication and information regarding their loved ones, especially as visitations have been postponed indefinitely. While prison authorities maintain that the escape was due not to security failures but rather a natural disaster, the situation highlights the vulnerabilities within the prison system in such emergencies.
