A seven-year-old boy has died after falling into an uncovered sewerage manhole while playing outside his home in Lahore’s Hanjarwal area, according to police.
The incident took place in Hamza Park near Thokar Niaz Baig, where the child, identified as Hakeem Ullah, son of Muhammad Zaheer, fell into the open manhole, police said.
According to police, the boy was playing in the street outside his house when he fell into the uncovered opening. He was retrieved from the manhole and taken to the hospital, but doctors could not save him.
The child’s father said the manhole had been left completely uncovered in the street, resulting in his son falling into it and drowning.
Residents have said five sewerage manholes in the area were without covers, raising concerns over the maintenance of public infrastructure and administrative oversight.
The incident has also drawn attention to the condition of sewerage infrastructure in the area, where uncovered manholes pose a risk to residents, particularly children.
The administration covered the manhole with a lid after the child’s death, according to the report.
The incident comes amid concerns over open manholes in Lahore. In a separate case, a girl previously fell into an open manhole in the city, with video of the incident subsequently surfacing online.
The death has left the child’s family in mourning and renewed concerns among residents about the need for sewerage openings to remain properly secured.
