Tragic Borewell Accident Claims Toddler's Life in Puri
A devastating incident unfolded in Puri on Friday when a one-and-a-half-year-old girl lost her life after falling into an open borewell. The accident occurred on the premises of the district headquarters hospital (DHH), where construction is underway for a new five-storey building.
Details of the Incident
The victim, identified as Samayira, was the daughter of Ajay Nayak from the Narendra Kona Mangala Sahi area in Puri. She had come to visit her maternal uncle's house at Raybahadur Lane in the district. Around noon, while playing near her uncle's residence, she accidentally fell into the borewell.
Upon receiving the alarm, Kumbharpada police and fire services personnel swiftly reached the spot and launched a rescue operation. The child was rescued within 30 minutes and rushed to the DHH. However, doctors declared her brought dead upon arrival.
Allegations of Negligence and Inaction
Family members have raised serious allegations regarding the circumstances leading to the tragedy. They stated that the borewell, which was over 50 feet deep and approximately 10 feet wide, had been left uncovered for the last five days. Gajendra Nayak, the child's maternal uncle, claimed he had repeatedly urged construction workers to cover the open borewell located near his house, but no action was taken.
Furthermore, Gajendra Nayak alleged that a bystander was busy shooting a video of the incident when his niece fell into the borewell, without offering immediate help. Police are yet to verify this claim.
Official Statements and Investigation
Assistant fire officer Pravat Rout confirmed that the fire team responded quickly after onlookers raised the alarm. Chief district medical officer Akshaya Satpathy announced that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident. He emphasized that the child was dead by the time she was brought to the hospital for treatment.
Bijay Behera, inspector in-charge of Kumbharpada police station, stated that an investigation into the incident has been initiated, though no further details were provided.
This tragic event highlights critical safety lapses at construction sites, raising questions about accountability and preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
