Barabanki, Sep 20 (IANS) Two children died after drowning in a deep pit filled with rainwater at an under-construction factory in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday evening, while a third child remained missing despite an extensive search operation, police said.
The incident occurred outside Baina village, under the jurisdiction of Kursi police station, when three children went to bathe in a water-filled pit dug inside the factory premises for soil excavation.
According to preliminary information, the pit had filled with rainwater following recent rainfall. The three children, identified as Deva (13), Sumit (10), and Divyansh (15), reportedly went to the site with other children in the evening.
While bathing, the three children ventured into deeper water and began drowning. The children who accompanied them raised an alarm, after which local villagers rushed to the spot and launched a rescue effort.
Villagers pulled Deva and Sumit out of the water and immediately took them to a private hospital for medical treatment. However, doctors examined both children and declared them dead.
Meanwhile, villagers could not locate Divyansh despite prolonged efforts to search the pit.
Following information about the incident, personnel from the Kursi police station reached the spot along with local divers. As darkness made the rescue operation more difficult, arrangements were made for additional lighting to facilitate the search for the missing child.
Police and residents continued efforts to locate Divyansh, while awaiting further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of deep excavation pits at construction sites, particularly during the monsoon season, when such pits can fill with rainwater and pose a serious risk to children, residents said.
Authorities are expected to determine how the children entered the factory premises and investigate the site’s safety arrangements.
–IANS
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