In a dramatic and violent jailbreak, more than 200 inmates escaped from Karachi’s Malir District Jail late Monday night after mild earthquake tremors caused chaos and panic within the facility. Authorities confirmed that 216 prisoners, many facing serious criminal charges, managed to flee during the confusion.
The earthquake, with its epicentre located southeast of Malir at a depth of 10 kilometres, triggered alarm throughout the prison. As a precaution, between 700 and 1,000 inmates were temporarily moved out of their cells and assembled near the main gate — a decision that inadvertently provided the perfect opportunity for a group of prisoners to overpower guards and force open the gate.
The escape quickly turned violent. Inmates reportedly seized weapons from prison staff, leading to a gunfight with security personnel. One inmate was killed during the clash, while several others, including three Frontier Corps (FC) officers and a prison guard, sustained serious injuries.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar dismissed initial claims that prisoners broke through the jail’s wall, stating that while the tremors caused visible cracks, the structure remained intact. The escapees exploited the chaotic situation by breaching the main gate instead.
In the immediate aftermath, Karachi was placed on high alert and a large-scale manhunt was launched. By Tuesday morning, security forces had recaptured 75 of the escaped inmates. However, many remain at large, prompting widespread concern across the city.
Videos circulating on social media show some escapees roaming freely through Karachi’s streets, with a few claiming to have been unjustly imprisoned for decades. The footage has heightened public anxiety and renewed scrutiny of prison security protocols.
Citywide security has been intensified, and a formal investigation is underway to determine how such a massive security lapse could have taken place during a moment of natural disruption.
