Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A powerful earthquake that violently shook Karachi earlier today has led to a catastrophic security breach, with initial reports indicating that over 200 inmates have escaped from a major correctional facility in the city. The tremor, whose magnitude is still being assessed, caused significant structural damage to the [fictional name, e.g., "Central Malir Prison"], allowing a large number of prisoners to break free amidst the ensuing chaos.
Eyewitnesses near the prison described scenes of pandemonium as the ground heaved. Sections of the prison's perimeter walls are reported to have collapsed, and internal structures were severely compromised. This created an opportunity for inmates to overwhelm the surprised and disoriented prison staff, who were also grappling with the immediate effects of the earthquake.
"It was terrifying," said a local resident who lives near the facility. "The shaking was intense, and then we heard alarms and shouting. We saw people running from the direction of the prison."
Authorities have issued an urgent city-wide alert and launched a massive manhunt to recapture the escaped prisoners. Law enforcement agencies, already stretched thin dealing with the earthquake's broader impact—including damaged buildings, potential casualties, and disrupted infrastructure—are now facing a significant public safety crisis. Checkpoints are being established across Karachi and surrounding areas, and residents are being urged to stay vigilant, report any suspicious activity, and remain indoors if possible.
"Our primary focus right now is twofold: managing the earthquake's aftermath and public safety, which includes apprehending all escapees," a senior police official stated in a hastily arranged press conference. "We are deploying all available resources. This is an unprecedented situation."
The exact number of escapees is still being verified as prison officials conduct a headcount and assess the full extent of the damage. There are unconfirmed reports of injuries to both prison staff and inmates during the earthquake and the subsequent breakout.
This dual crisis—a natural disaster compounded by a major prison escape—has thrown Pakistan's largest city into a state of high alert, testing emergency response capabilities to their limit. The government is appealing for calm while assuring the public that every effort is being made to restore order and security.
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