Earthquake Sparks Chaos at Malir Jail: 300 Inmates Escape Amid Cracks, Gunfire, and Citywide Search Operation
Karachi:A late-night earthquake caused structural cracks in the walls of Karachi’s Malir Jail, triggering panic and an emergency situation that led to the escape of **nearly 300 prisoners**. The chaos prompted a large-scale response, with heavy contingents of **police and Rangers launching a citywide search operation**, while intense gunfire was reported around the jail premises.
According to jail sources, inmates were temporarily evacuated from their barracks as a precaution due to the tremors. However, during the confusion, **several prisoners seized the opportunity to flee**. Authorities managed to **re-secure many inmates**, while **four escapees were apprehended on the spot**.
Dramatic **CCTV footage and citizen-recorded mobile videos** have surfaced, showing inmates climbing over damaged walls and running barefoot into the night. Jail personnel reportedly opened fire in an attempt to halt the escape.
کراچی میں زلزلے کی وجہ سے دیوار گری جس کے بعد قیدی فرار ہو گئے ، قیدیوں کو شہریوں نے پکڑ لیاpic.twitter.com/vvDe2v8QRv
— Muqadas Farooq Awan (@muqadasawann) June 2, 2025
In response to the breakout, **major roads around Malir Jail have been sealed off**. Karachi Traffic Police confirmed that both directions of the National Highway — from NLC Cut to Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Quaidabad — have been closed. Traffic is being diverted from **Manzil Pump to Younus Chowrangi**, and **from Port Qasim to Mehran Highway**.
Sindh’s Minister for Prisons, **Ali Hassan Zardari**, has taken immediate notice of the situation. He has **demanded a detailed report** from the IG Prisons and DIG Prisons, ordering a full **cordon of the area** and the **urgent re-arrest of all escaped inmates**. He added that any officials found negligent will face strict disciplinary action.
As of the latest reports, **search operations are ongoing**, and **raids are being conducted across multiple neighborhoods** to track down the fugitives. No official statement has been issued by jail authorities so far, but the scale of the escape has raised serious concerns about disaster preparedness and security protocols within the prison system.
