The body of 10 month old Rida Fatima was finally recovered from the sewer after 18 hours, confirms Rescue 1122, after the tragic accident of mother and daughter falling into a sewerage line near Bhati Gate, Lahore.
Rescue operations resulted in the recovery of mother’s body after six hours but the baby girl Rida Fatima was not recovered for 18 hours despite continuous search operations.
Narrating the ordeal, the sister of the woman who along with her daughter fell in a sewerage line in Lahore said the accident happened while the girl, 10-month-old Rida Fatima, was being held by her mother who accidentally lost her grip on her and the child fell into the open sewer.
In a desperate effort to try to save her daughter, the mother also jumped into the sewer.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice of the tragic incident, instructing the authorities to produce a report within 24 hours.
According to the police, it happened near Bhati Gate in Lahore. Several kilometres were covered since the mother’s body was being carried away by the strong sewage flow. The strong sewage flow dragged the body of the woman 3 kilometres away from the location of the incident.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said early Thursday the body was discovered in a sewerage line on Outfall Road, about three kilometres from the open manhole where the mother and child had fell in.
He added that search of the missing child is continuing at various points on the sewerage line.
Authorities of different departments along with the supervision of Punjab’s Chief Minister were present at the spot for the rescue efforts.
A high-level inquiry has also been commissioned to conduct an investigation to ascertain accountability. Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing as well with multiple contractors now being in the scrutiny due to resulting fatal accident.
Data Darbar Project Team
After the incident, the entire Data Darbar Project Team has been suspended.
Also read: Lahore manhole incident: Woman’s body recovered, search on for child
