LAHORE: An eight-year-old boy died after falling into an open manhole while playing near Niaz Baig Hamza Park in Lahore’s Hanjarwal area.
The boy, identified as Hakeemullah, was playing in the street when he suddenly fell into the uncovered manhole, according to local residents.
People in the area rushed to help and tried to pull him out. Rescue 1122 and police teams also reached the spot after being alerted. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but doctors could not save him.
Police took the body into custody and started the required legal proceedings.
The incident left residents deeply upset, with many questioning why the manhole had been left open in a residential area. They called on the authorities to take action against those responsible and make sure other open manholes in the area are covered.
Wasa Lahore, however, said the location was not under its jurisdiction. A Wasa spokesperson said local residents had hired private workers to carry out sewerage work at the site and that the workers allegedly left the manhole uncovered after completing the work.
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The spokesperson added that the sewerage system at the location was not managed by Wasa and came under the relevant local administration.
Residents said the incident should serve as a warning to the authorities, urging them to inspect open manholes across the city and cover them before another child or pedestrian loses their life.
