- Police question husband, take three into custody on suspicion.
- Rescue teams search sewerage line at four points, no trace of bodies.
- Wasa ordered to accelerate relief as contractors to face action.
A search operation is underway in Lahore after a woman and her daughter reportedly fell into an open sewerage line, prompting rescue efforts and a parallel police investigation.
Superintendent Police City Bilal Ahmed said that they were investigating the incident in all aspects, adding that the woman’s husband is being questioned but he has yet to give satisfactory answers.
Police said the information about the woman and child falling into the sewerage line was initially provided by the husband. Statements of the husband and other close relatives are being recorded, while CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts are also being examined, they added.
Rescue 1122 officials said they received a call at the rescue control room at 7:32am and that teams reached the location within four minutes.
“There is around one and a half feet of water at the reported spot, with a depth of over 10 feet and a width of about three feet,” said Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Rescue Shahid Waheed.
Waheed said rescue personnel conducted searches using tyres and manual probing techniques, and that the operation will continue until the family is satisfied.
Rescue teams remain engaged at four different points along the sewerage line, but no trace has been found so far.
Meanwhile, the woman’s father approached police and alleged that his daughter was murdered, demanding action against her in-laws.
Police said three individuals, including the husband, have been taken into custody on suspicion as part of the investigation.
Separately, Rescue 1122 officials said a search operation is also underway near the Data Darbar area, while Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) officials have been directed to further accelerate relief efforts.
On the chief minister’s instructions, Punjab’s Traffic Engineering & Planning Agency (Tepa) Director Bashir Hussain has been suspended over the incident, while officials said action would also be taken against contractors found negligent in implementing required safety precautions.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
