Chaos Amid Quake: Over 200 Prisoners Escape Karachi Jail During Earthquake
Over 200 Inmates Escape Karachi’s Malir Jail Amid Earthquake Chaos
More than 200 prisoners broke out of Karachi’s Malir Jail by exploiting the confusion caused during a recent earthquake. Videos from the scene captured scenes of total chaos—gunfire from security forces, shouting, and inmates fleeing the facility. Amid the disorder, one inmate reportedly died. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the large-scale jailbreak.
Turning Tremors into Escape: Over 200 Inmates Flee Karachi's Malir Jail Amid Earthquake Chaos
The old adage "aapda mein avsar"—finding opportunity in disaster—played out dramatically in Karachi’s Malir Jail this week, as more than 200 inmates took advantage of the confusion caused by an earthquake to stage a mass escape.
As mild tremors rocked eastern Karachi on Monday night, panic spread through the city—and the jail. Amid evacuation efforts, chaos erupted, providing inmates with a rare chance at freedom. Malir Jail, which houses many inmates charged with drug-related offences—some suffering from psychological disorders—became the epicentre of a massive jailbreak.
Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah told Geo TV on Thursday morning that 216 inmates escaped after prisoners from Circles 4 and 5 were temporarily evacuated from their barracks as a precaution. "More than 600 inmates were outside their cells at the time. Amid the confusion, 216 fled. Over 135 are still at large," Shah said.
Earthquake Sparks Mayhem
Since Sunday, Karachi has experienced 16 mild earthquakes, with several tremors centred near Malir. Two back-to-back tremors, measuring 2.6 and 2.8 on the Richter scale, struck late Monday night at a depth of 40 km.
Videos circulating on social media show the scale of the disorder—gunfire, shouting, and inmates sprinting down nearby roads. According to Dawn, some clips captured what appeared to be heavy gunfire near Malir Jail.
Initially, local police claimed the prisoners broke through a weakened outer wall of the facility. However, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar offered a different account, stating that between 700 and 1,000 inmates gathered near the main gate during the evacuation, and around 100 managed to force it open and flee.
Lanjar called it “one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent memory”, adding that potential staff negligence is being investigated. A high-level committee, including law enforcement and government officials, has been formed to probe the incident.
Casualties and Injuries
Tragically, one inmate died during the mayhem, while three Frontier Corps personnel and a jail staffer were injured. Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that Malir Jail holds a large population of inmates with psychological and drug-related issues, raising further questions about jail security and crisis management.
One of the recaptured inmates, Siraj, spoke to reporters and confirmed the panic that unfolded inside: "When the quake hit, everyone started breaking the gates. Many ran off. I escaped but later went into hiding."
As authorities continue the manhunt for over 135 escapees, the incident has raised alarm over the preparedness of correctional facilities during natural disasters—and the ease with which chaos can be turned into opportunity.
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