Lahore (Web Desk): The body of 10-month-old Rida Fatima, who fell into an uncovered manhole near Lahore’s Data Darbar shrine, has been recovered, bringing the death toll from the tragic incident to two. Rescue teams found the infant’s body in the Saggian area after an operation that continued for nearly 17 hours.
Describing the heartbreaking sequence of events, Razia, the sister of the deceased woman, said the family had been returning after offering prayers at the shrine when the child suddenly slipped from her mother’s arms and fell into the open manhole. Seeing her baby being swept away, the mother, Saadia, jumped in after her without a moment’s hesitation.
Rescuers retrieved the woman’s body later that same night, but the strong flow of water carried the infant far from the original site, prolonging the search until her body was finally located.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and ordered immediate action against those found responsible. Director of the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) Shabbir Hussain, along with two other senior officials, has been suspended on charges of criminal negligence in the performance of their duties.
According to DIG Operations Lahore, Faisal Kamran, police and local authorities have inspected the scene and legal proceedings are underway against those deemed accountable for the incident.
Earlier, talking to media, DIG Operations had confirmed that dead body of a woman, identified as 24-year-old Sadia, was found recovered from Outfall Road, roughly three kilometres away from the spot where she and her daughter had fallen.
He said that Punjab government has set up a high-level committee to investigate how the incident occurred, and the panel is expected to share its findings soon.
Kamran added that, on the instructions of the Punjab chief minister, senior officials from all concerned departments are present at the scene, supervising the ongoing efforts.
Meanwhile, three people who had been detained earlier in connection with the incident, including the woman’s husband, have now been released.
An official notification issued on Thursday stated that the additional chief secretary will head the inquiry committee.
The panel also includes the additional secretary of Services and General Administration, the secretary of Communication and Works, and an additional inspector general of police.
The committee has been directed to wrap up its investigation and submit a report within 24 hours.