Over 210 inmates escaped from Karachi’s Malir Jail during an evacuation triggered by an earthquake on Monday night, Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah announced on Tuesday morning.
Speaking with media, he said authorities had already recaptured more than 80 prisoners, adding a search operation was ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives. He explained that the jailbreak occurred after the inmates were evacuated from their barracks as a safety precaution during tremors.
“More than 600 prisoners were outside their cells at the time. Amid the chaos, 216 managed to flee,” he said, adding around 135 prisoners remain at large.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said this was one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years. He said nearly 100 inmates had forced open the main gate during the evacuation and fled. He stressed that all escaped inmates had been identified and targeted raids were underway to locate and apprehend them. The joint search operation comprises police, Rangers, Frontier Corps, Special Security Unit, and Rapid Response Force personnel.
Lanjar assured media an inquiry committee comprising officers of police and other agencies would investigate potential staff negligence. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible,” he added.
The chaos of the jailbreak, said rescue officials, had resulted in injuries to three Frontier Corps personnel and one prison staff, while one inmate died.