Following a Tuesday morning earthquake, over 200 prisoners escaped Karachi’s Malir Jail, Pakistan’s largest city, police reported.
Tremors caused thousands of inmates to breach cell doors, locks, and windows at Malir Jail.
Authorities have recaptured 80 escapees, with a search underway for the remaining 130+. One prisoner died during the recapture operation, and two prison officers sustained injuries.
A prison superintendent told the BBC that around midnight, terrified inmates shouted fearing a building collapse.
The ensuing chaos prompted police to fire warning shots into the air. While many prisoners returned to their cells, 216 exploited the pandemonium to escape.
Police are conducting house-to-house searches to apprehend the fugitives.
Sindh province’s second-largest prison, Malir Jail, is severely overcrowded, housing at least 5,000 inmates despite a capacity of 2,200.
Provincial prisons minister Ali Hassan Zardari has ordered an investigation and warned of disciplinary action against any culpable officers.
The prison superintendent attributed the incident to the natural disaster, stating that security personnel remained vigilant and responded effectively.
Protests by families outside the jail gates highlight the frustration caused by suspended visits for other inmates’ relatives.
Additional reporting by Usman Zahid
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