Karachi jail break: Over 200 inmates escape during earthquake evacuation

Dubai: A routine emergency drill turned into a full-blown security disaster on Monday night when more than 200 inmates escaped from Karachi’s Malir Jail during a precautionary evacuation prompted by earthquake tremors.

A safety measure during minor earthquake tremors quickly spiraled into chaos, marking one of the most serious jailbreaks in the city’s recent history.

Late Monday night, tremors prompted prison officials to evacuate inmates from their barracks, a routine measure meant to ensure safety during natural disasters. However, the emergency procedure backfired dramatically when prisoners from Circles 4 and 5, temporarily gathered outside, overpowered Frontier Corps personnel and forced their way out of the facility, according to media reports in Pakistan.

Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon said the chaos erupted when more than 600 inmates were temporarily removed from their cells. In the commotion, 213 prisoners fled the facility. “FC personnel used batons and then aerial firing to control the situation, but were overwhelmed,” said IG Memon. At least one prisoner died during the escape, and several security personnel were injured.

The facility in the Malir district is Sindh province’s second largest prison, and is over capacity. While it can accommodate up to 2,200 prisoners, there are at least 5,000 inmates there.

Massive manhunt

As of Tuesday morning, 79 prisoners had been recaptured, but more than 130 remain at large. The majority of the escapees are reportedly involved in drug-related offenses, with some facing charges including illegal weapons possession and trafficking.

Main gate breached

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar confirmed that the escape did not result from structural collapse. “The main gate was forced open by nearly 100 prisoners, and not due to any damage from the earthquake itself,” he said. Lanjar acknowledged potential staff negligence and announced the formation of an inquiry committee, vowing disciplinary action against those found responsible.

The chaos left its mark on the facility. Bullet holes, shattered glass, and empty shells littered the prison grounds. The IT room critical for storing inmate records was also vandalided, further complicating the identification and tracking of escapees, Dawn news reported.

Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah added that the situation escalated far beyond what the prison staff had ever encountered. “The quake caused panic, and that panic turned into an opportunity for escape,” he said.

Public response

In a rare act of civic responsibility, one escaped inmate’s mother voluntarily returned her son to authorities. “He came home scared and confused,” she told reporters. “I told him this wasn’t the way and brought him back on foot.”

Security has since been intensified in areas surrounding Malir Jail, including Shah Latif Town and Quaidabad. A joint operation comprising Rangers, police, FC, SSU, and the Rapid Response Force is underway to locate the fugitives. Authorities say all escapees have been identified, and targeted raids are being conducted at their known residences.

New facility

As authorities continue their search, questions loom over the structural and administrative vulnerabilities that allowed the jailbreak to unfold. Sindh IG Prisons Qazi Nazir revealed plans for a new jail facility in Bin Qasim Town, spanning 850 acres, citing the inadequacies of the current infrastructure.