In a dramatic turn of events, more than 200 inmates escaped from Malir Jail in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, following an earthquake that struck early Tuesday morning. As tremors shook the facility, terrified prisoners broke down doors and locks, shattering windows to reach the prison gates.
According to police reports, around 216 inmates took advantage of the chaos caused by the seismic activity. While 80 of them have since been recaptured, searches are ongoing for the remaining over 130 still on the run. Tragically, one inmate was reported dead during the escape attempt, and two prison officers sustained injuries in the fray.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that as the tremors intensified, inmates began to shout in panic from their cells. Many prisoners returned to their cells once the authorities responded with warning shots aimed to regain control over the situation. However, others pushed through the main gate in a state of frenzy, leading to a mass escape.
With the prison currently housing around 5,000 inmates, it is significantly over capacity, given that it was designed to hold only 2,200. Ali Hassan Zardari, the Sindh province's minister for prisons, announced an investigation into the events and warned that any officers found negligent would face disciplinary measures.
The prison superintendent emphasized that this incident was not attributed to a security failure but rather a natural disaster that caught the facility unprepared. Security teams were reportedly on high alert and engaged throughout the incident.
As families of the inmates gather outside the jail's gates in protest, expressing frustration over postponed visits, authorities are conducting door-to-door searches in an effort to recapture those who escaped.
According to police reports, around 216 inmates took advantage of the chaos caused by the seismic activity. While 80 of them have since been recaptured, searches are ongoing for the remaining over 130 still on the run. Tragically, one inmate was reported dead during the escape attempt, and two prison officers sustained injuries in the fray.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that as the tremors intensified, inmates began to shout in panic from their cells. Many prisoners returned to their cells once the authorities responded with warning shots aimed to regain control over the situation. However, others pushed through the main gate in a state of frenzy, leading to a mass escape.
With the prison currently housing around 5,000 inmates, it is significantly over capacity, given that it was designed to hold only 2,200. Ali Hassan Zardari, the Sindh province's minister for prisons, announced an investigation into the events and warned that any officers found negligent would face disciplinary measures.
The prison superintendent emphasized that this incident was not attributed to a security failure but rather a natural disaster that caught the facility unprepared. Security teams were reportedly on high alert and engaged throughout the incident.
As families of the inmates gather outside the jail's gates in protest, expressing frustration over postponed visits, authorities are conducting door-to-door searches in an effort to recapture those who escaped.
