LAHORE: The rescuers on Thursday found the body of 10-month-old Rida Fatima, who, along with her mother Sadia, fell into a manhole near Bhati Gate in Lahore.
The child’s body was recovered — after more than 17 hours — from a sewer line on Outfall Road, said the Rescue 1122.
The development comes after Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said that the mother’s body was found from the sewerage line at Outfall Road, three kilometres from the said manhole, adding the flow of sewage was so intense that it took the body away.
The DIG said that a high-level committee has been formed to probe the incident, adding that the probing body will soon submit its findings.
Kamran had further said that heads of all concerned authorities were inspecting the process, at the directives of the Punjab chief minister.
Meanwhile, all three people, including the woman’s husband, have been released.
Noting that the call of the incident was received at 3:30pm on Wednesday, the Rescue 1122 has said that search operation is being carried out at three different locations, namely Outfall Road, Bhati Gate and Mohini Road and 10 rescue vehicles, 25 rescuers are participating in the operation.
A notification issued today stated that the additional chief secretary will serve as the committee’s convener, with the additional secretary of Services and General Administration, the Communication & Works secretary, and the additional inspector general (AIG) as members of the probing body.
The committee will expedite its work and submit its report within 24 hours, said the notification.
Furthermore, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) DG said Project Director Zahid Abbas and Deputy Director Shabbir Ahmad have been suspended over dereliction of their duties.
Superintendent Police City Bilal Ahmed said that they were investigating the incident in all aspects, adding that the woman’s husband was questioned. However, police could not find satisfactory answers from him, according to the police.
Earlier, police officials said the information about the woman and child falling into the sewerage line was initially provided by the husband.
Statements of the husband and other close relatives are being recorded, while CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts are also being examined, they added.
Rescue 1122 personnel said they received a call at the rescue control room at 7:32am and that teams reached the location within four minutes.
“There is around one and a half feet of water at the reported spot, with a depth of over 10 feet and a width of about three feet,” said Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Rescue Shahid Waheed.
Waheed said rescue personnel conducted searches using tyres and manual probing techniques, and that the operation will continue until the family is satisfied.
Rescue teams remain engaged at four different points along the sewerage line, but no trace has been found so far.
Meanwhile, the woman’s father approached the police and alleged that his daughter had been murdered, demanding action against her in-laws.
Police said three individuals, including the husband, have been taken into custody on suspicion as part of the investigation.
Separately, Rescue 1122 officials said a search operation is also underway near the Data Darbar area, while Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) officials have been directed to accelerate relief efforts further.
On the CM’s instructions, Punjab’s Traffic Engineering & Planning Agency (Tepa) Director Bashir Hussain has been suspended over the incident, while officials said action would also be taken against contractors found negligent in implementing required safety precautions.
