Pakistan: Rescue underway after woman, daughter fall into open sewerage line in Lahore

As the search continued, Rescue 1122 officials said on Wednesday that emergency teams were rushed to the site and launched an intensive operation, but there was no trace of the woman or her child as of late at night.

Confirming the incident, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson told Dawn, "The woman's husband is at the scene and has confirmed that she fell into the sewerage line."

"The operation is ongoing and Rescue 1122 will continue searching until the bodies are recovered," he added.

Explaining how the incident unfolded, police officials said the provincial government had recently begun expansion work at Bhatti Chowk near the Ali Hajveri Tomb, and that the mishap occurred in an area excavated for sewerage pipeline work.

Citing local residents, the official said part of the sewer had been left uncovered by workers, after which wastewater flowed into the site and the woman and her daughter fell into the open line, Dawn reported.

In parallel with rescue efforts, police launched a multi-angle investigation, with Superintendent Police City Bilal Ahmed saying all aspects of the case are being examined, Geo News reported.

Ahmed said the woman's husband, who initially informed authorities, is being questioned but has not yet provided satisfactory answers.

Police are also recording statements from close relatives, while CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts are being reviewed to establish the sequence of events.

The incident has renewed concerns over open drains and construction safety, particularly after similar tragedies were reported last month.

In Punjab's Bahawalpur district, a seven-year-old boy died after falling into an open manhole in Dhanote town near Lodhran city.

During the same period, the body of a three-year-old boy was recovered from an open manhole in Karachi's Gulshan-i-Iqbal area more than 12 hours after the incident was first reported, Dawn noted. (ANI)