After Karachi Tragedy, How Other Countries Prevent Deadly Manhole Accidents

Following the heartbreaking death of a three-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole near NIPA Chowrangi in Karachi, renewed attention has been drawn to how countries around the world manage manhole safety and prevent such fatal accidents. The incident has sparked public outrage and intensified calls for stronger infrastructure oversight and accountability.

In a report aired on ARY News’ programme Sawal Ye Hai, host Maria Memon highlighted a range of international practices aimed at reducing the risks posed by open or damaged manholes. In India, authorities launched the Abhiyan Programme in 2014, under which traditional iron manhole covers were replaced in several areas with fibre or polymer alternatives to curb theft and lower the risk of fatal falls. Similar approaches have been adopted in Kenya and Nigeria, where locking mechanisms and lightweight fibre covers have been introduced to improve safety and durability.

In South Asia, countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal have relied on community-driven solutions, with local NGOs and citizen groups using digital mapping tools and mobile applications to identify open or hazardous manholes and report them directly to municipal authorities. These systems have helped improve response times and accountability. In the Philippines and Indonesia, authorities have installed concrete or steel slabs over open drains in busy urban areas to prevent accidental falls, particularly during heavy rains.

To address visibility issues at night, Ethiopia and Nepal have invested in solar-powered LED street lighting in areas prone to accidents, while Rwanda and Cambodia operate rapid response teams at municipal and community levels to quickly repair damaged manhole covers and related infrastructure. In more large-scale urban planning efforts, countries such as Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have converted older open drainage systems into underground pipeline networks, significantly reducing public exposure to hazardous openings.

Urban safety experts, including analysts cited by the US-based think tank The Medium, stress that preventing manhole-related accidents requires a combination of proactive maintenance, public awareness, rapid response mechanisms, and long-term structural and technological solutions. The comparison has intensified pressure on local authorities in Karachi to adopt proven global practices and take immediate steps to prevent further tragedies.