Over 200 Prisoners Escape from Karachi Jail Amid Earthquake Panic

More than 200 inmates escaped from Malir Jail in Karachi during an earthquake that triggered panic within the facility. Police have recaptured around 80 inmates, while searches continue for the remaining escapees. Authorities stress the event was a result of a natural disaster rather than a security breach.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Karachi experienced an earthquake that not only shook the ground but also rattled the security of Malir Jail, leading to a mass escape of more than 200 inmates. As tremors reverberated through the building, chaos ensued with prisoners breaking down doors, locks, and shattering windows as they panicked over fears of structural collapse.

Reports indicate that around 216 inmates seized the moment to flee, while a significant number opted to return to their cells after police intervened with warning shots. Authorities have stated that, as of now, 80 of those who escaped have been recaptured, but over 130 remain at large. In the ensuing chaos, one prisoner was killed and two prison officers were injured.

The superintendent of the prison has made it clear that the incident arose from the earthquake and not from any security failures, asserting that personnel were on high alert. The prison, which is now housing over 5,000 inmates well above its 2,200 capacity, faces scrutiny as families of incarcerated individuals express frustration over postponed visitations and their concerns for loved ones who are still missing.

The provincial minister for prisons, Ali Hassan Zardari, has initiated an investigation into the circumstances of the escape, indicating that anyone found at fault among the officers will face appropriate disciplinary actions. Meanwhile, police continue to conduct searches door-to-door to locate those who managed to escape, reflecting the ongoing tension in the aftermath of both the natural disaster and the prison breach in one of Pakistan's largest cities.