LODHRAN: Tragedy struck two families in Punjab on Saturday as two seven-year-old boys lost their lives after falling into uncovered manholes in separate incidents in Kahurod Paka and Lodhran.
In the first incident, seven-year-old Rehan fell into an open manhole in Kahurod Paka’s Dhanot area while heading to school. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and managed to pull the child out in critical condition. He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors tried to save him, but he later succumbed to his injuries. The incident has left the local community deeply shaken.
Officials attributed the accident to negligence and the absence of proper safety arrangements, particularly missing manhole covers. Residents strongly protested and demanded strict action against those responsible for failing to ensure public safety.
The second incident occurred in Lodhran, where another seven-year-old boy, also named Rehan, died after falling into an open manhole in Riazabad Colony. The child had accompanied his father to Saeed Chowk for breakfast when the tragic accident took place. Rescue workers arrived promptly and retrieved the boy from the manhole before shifting him to the hospital. Sadly, despite medical efforts, he could not survive.
This heartbreaking incidents have once again sparked serious concerns over poor urban infrastructure and the dangers posed by uncovered manholes in crowded residential and commercial areas. Citizens have urged authorities to take immediate and effective measures to cover manholes and prevent further loss of life.
It may be recalled that only days earlier, a similar tragedy occurred in Karachi where a three-year-old boy, Ibrahim, lost his life after falling into an open manhole. His body was recovered after 14 hours.
