A mother and her daughter reportedly fell into a sewer near Parinda Market, Bhati Gate in Lahore on Wednesday.
The incident has prompted the rescue teams to begin search and recovery efforts, which are still underway, according to the latest reports.
According to the details, the daughter is a 9-month-old child.
According to the sources, the authorities had left the manhole open during excavation.
Officials said the incident occurred due to poor visibility in the dark. Rescue authorities have launched operations to locate and safely retrieve the two.
Contradictory statement
As per the management, after inspection of the sewerage line, it was concluded that no such incident took place.
They say that at the place where the incident allegedly took place, there is no technical possibility of anyone drowning.
Sources, while talking to Pakistan Connect, said that the relatives of the victims claim the woman and her daughter did fall into the open manhole.
CM Punjab
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice of the lack of safety measures at ongoing construction sites.
CM Punjab has sought a report from the relevant authorities by tomorrow morning.
The Chief Minister has immediately suspended the relevant officials for failing to ensure safety measures.
Director NEPTA, Shabir Hussain, has also been placed under suspension, according to the reports.
Action has been ordered against the containers and the officials responsible for not implementing the required safety precautions.
Past incidents involving open manholes
Recently, a tragic accident struck Karachi as an eight-year-old boy fell into an open manhole in the Korangi area, in Karachi.
The incident marks the latest in a series of fatalities involving uncovered manholes across the city.
The boy fell into the manhole within the jurisdiction of the Korangi Industrial Area police station.
Local police and relevant authorities rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the accident.
Previously, in 2024, a young girl died after she fell into an open manhole while playing in a park of a private housing society on Raiwind Road.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif took strict notice of the death of the young girl.
She told the relevant authorities to identify those responsible and punish them severely under the law.
“I have zero tolerance for those who play with the lives of people and children,” she stated.
The Chief Minister added that if incompetence or criminal negligence were found, the housing society should be sealed.
She also ordered inspections of open manholes in all societies and gave government officials and institutions a three-day deadline to complete the checks.
CM Maryam Nawaz instructed authorities to examine manhole covers in both private and government-controlled areas.
She expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young girl’s life due to a missing manhole cover. She also called the incident unacceptable.
Read more: Four dead bodies recovered from manhole in Karachi
