Woman, child die as they fall into manhole in Lahore

The body of a woman, who along with her daughter fell into a manhole near Bhati Gate in Lahore, has been found while the search operation is underway for the girl, a senior police official said Thursday.

DIG (operations) Lahore Faisal Kamran told The Express Tribune that the victim has been identified as Sadia, aged 24.

He said the authorities concerned and emergency services had been conducting search operations along the route of the sewerage line and at one point they spotted the dead body.

However, the search operation continued for the recovery of the victim child. The DIG said the body was found from Outfall Road, three kilometres from the said manhole, adding the flow of sewage was so intense that it took the body away.

He said that a high-level committee has been formed to probe the incident, adding that the probing body will soon submit its finding. He further said that heads of all authorities concerned are currently on the ground inspecting the process, on the directives of the Punjab Chief Minister.

Meantime, all three people, including the woman's husband, have been released.

According to a notification issued Thursday, the Additional Chief Secretary will be the committee's convener with Addititional Secretary Services & General Administration, Secretary Communication & Works and Additional IG to be the members of the probing body.

The committee will expedite its work and submit its report within 24 hours, said the notification.