Lahore — Conflicting accounts have emerged about a reported incident in Lahore in which a woman and her young daughter allegedly fell into an open manhole near the Data Darbar area amid poor lighting conditions. Initial local reports described a rescue operation after the pair disappeared into an uncovered sewer opening, while provincial officials later denied that the accident occurred at the site described.
According to coverage by Dunya News, Rescue 1122 teams responded to a call near Bhati Gate close to the main entrance of Data Darbar on Wednesday after a woman and her daughter reportedly slipped into an uncovered sewer access point during a nighttime walk, with poor street lighting cited as a contributing factor. Rescue sources told reporters that teams were actively searching the chamber when they arrived.
Officials Deny Reported Fall, Call Claims Fake
However, Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari publicly rejected the accounts of a fall and drowning, calling the news “fake” and saying that Rescue 1122 and local administration teams inspected the sewer hole and found no evidence of anyone entering or drowning in it. She stated that the manhole in question could not technically accommodate a person’s fall and that no such accident had occurred at that location.
Provincial authorities asserted that rescue teams and divers were dispatched quickly under a “sacred duty to save lives,” but that an examination of the sewer and surrounding area revealed no incident matching the widely shared descriptions. They said the incident reports circulating on social media and some local channels were incorrect.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
Several Pakistani news channels and social media sources circulated footage claiming to show search operations and emotional onlookers at the scene, with some posts highlighting perceived infrastructure hazards. Videos shared under headlines such as “Mother, daughter fall into sewer near Data Darbar — search continues” and “Tragic incident: Search for girl in progress” illustrate the dissemination of varying accounts of the situation.
Locals commenting on these videos and reports have blamed poor street lighting and uncovered manholes for making walking conditions unsafe in parts of the city, especially at night. Independent posts on social platforms depicted residents urging municipal authorities to cover open sewer lids and improve lighting to prevent accidents. (Social media reports)
No Official Confirmation of Casualties
As of the latest reports, there has been no official confirmation of casualties by rescue agencies or law enforcement. Neither Rescue 1122 nor the district administration has publicly released a statement verifying that a woman or child fell into a sewer and drowned. Local administration sources quoted by officials maintained that their inspection did not substantiate the claims tied to the specific manhole location that had been widely shared online.
Broader Safety Concerns
Open sewer access points and uncovered manholes have been a recurring public safety concern in Pakistan’s major cities. Past incidents reported in Lahore and other provinces have included children falling into drains or sewer openings, sometimes resulting in injury or death and prompting official investigations and criticism of maintenance practices.
Municipal authorities periodically announce plans to cover open manholes, install protective grates, and improve lighting in high-traffic areas to reduce risk. Civil society advocates and citizen groups have frequently called for more systematic infrastructure audits to prevent accidents in densely populated urban spaces.
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