Karachi, June 3 -- In a dramatic and alarming incident late Monday night, 216 inmates escaped from Karachi's District Jail Malir - known locally as "Bacha Jail" - amid panic triggered by earthquake tremors. The seismic activity created chaos within the prison, which inmates exploited to overpower guards and break free, according to SamaTV.

Witnesses described scenes of heavy gunfire in and around the facility, adding to the tension in nearby residential areas. Authorities responded swiftly by sealing off roads, including the National Highway, and launching a massive manhunt with the help of police and Rangers.

SSP Malir, Kashif Aftab Abbasi, confirmed that extensive search operations were underway and that settlements and villages aroun...