Karachi, Pakistan – A routine safety measure following earthquake tremors escalated into a significant security breach on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as over 200 inmates escaped from Malir District Jail in Karachi. The jailbreak occurred during an emergency evacuation prompted by a series of low-magnitude earthquakes that struck the region on June 2. The Escape Incident According to reports, the tremors led to a precautionary evacuation of inmates from the overcrowded facility. During this process, a group of prisoners overpowered the guards, seized weapons, and initiated a mass escape. Security forces responded with aerial firing, reportedly discharging around 700 rounds. One inmate was killed, and three security personnel were injured in the confrontation. By the morning of June 3, 78 prisoners had been recaptured, leaving 135 still at large. The Sindh Inspector General of Police confirmed that none of the escapees were affiliated with banned militant organizations. Background of Malir District Jail Malir District Jail, located in the eastern part of Karachi, is one of the largest prisons in Sindh. As of June 2025, the facility was housing more than 4,000 inmates, despite being designed to accommodate around 1,591. The prison has previously been reported to face challenges related to overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and insufficient security measures. Response and Investigation In the aftermath of the escape, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the provincial home department. The Inspector General of Sindh Police, Ghulam Nabi Memon, announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the lapses in prison security and the circumstances under which the inmates escaped. Human rights activists and civil society organizations expressed concern over the state of prison infrastructure and emergency preparedness, especially in the context of natural disasters. Legal experts pointed to longstanding issues of overcrowding and underfunding in Pakistan’s prison system as contributing factors. Historical Context This incident is reminiscent of previous prison breaks in the region. In 2015, a similar situation occurred in Nepal, where 220 prisoners escaped from jails following an earthquake. The prisoners took advantage of the damaged structures to flee. Similarly, in 2018, over 1,200 prisoners escaped from Indonesian jails after a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck the region. The mass prison break happened after the powerful tremor sparked a wall of water that devastated the small city of Palu. The escape from Malir District Jail underscores the vulnerabilities in prison security, particularly during emergency situations. The incident has prompted calls for urgent reforms to address overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate emergency preparedness in Pakistan’s correctional facilities. As authorities continue their efforts to recapture the remaining escapees, the focus remains on ensuring that such breaches do not recur in the future.