No Trace of 3-Year-Old Two Days After He Fell Into Drain in Mumbai

The boy is feared to have drowned after falling into an open storm water drain at Ambedkar Chowk in Malad East.

The incident was captured on CCTV camera.

(Photo: ANI Video Screengrab)

A three-year-old boy is feared to have drowned after falling into an open storm water drain at Ambedkar Chowk in Malad East Wednesday, 10 July, night, even as the search operation for the minor continued on Thursday. The incident was captured on CCTV camera.

WHAT CAN WE SEE IN THE CCTV VIDEO?

In the video, the child can be seen walking alone by the side of a busy road in Goregaon. First, he walks towards the road and then turns back and falls into the drain after taking a few steps. The drain was hidden behind a telephone line box.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SEARCH OPERATIONS

After the incident came to light, a search and rescue operation was launched. However, the rescue team has not been able to find the boy so far, reported PTI.

Due to the heavy flow of water in the drainage, the boy is feared to have been washed away, an official told PTI.

The search operation is being jointly carried out by the BMC staff, Mumbai police, the fire brigade and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

WHAT IS THE FAMILY OF THE BOY SAYING?

The father of the toddler blamed the civic administration for the mishap and demanded an immediate probe and severe punishment for those responsible.

The incident brought back bitter memories of the August 2017 mishap in which Dr Deepak Amarapurkar, a well- known gastroenterologist, died after falling into an open manhole while walking down a flooded street in south Mumbai during torrential rain.

WHAT ARE THE CIVIC AUTHORITIES SAYING?

An official of the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said, “The boy, identified as Divyansh, was strolling outside his house when he fell into the drain near Goregaon-Malad Link road,"

"When the boy's mother could not find him, she raised an alarm. Thereafter, the footage of the CCTV camera installed near the building was checked, in which he was seen falling into the drain," he said.

The civic body claimed that the cover of the drain was removed by some individuals.

According to local residents, the drain had been open for a long time and they had requested the officials concerned to cover it, although there was no response from them.

"Early enquiry reports revealed that the cover of the drain was removed by some individuals. The CCTV footage is being checked and investigated to trace the concerned people," the BMC said in a tweet.

The BMC has also appealed to the people to immediately report to it if they come across such open drains or manholes they should inform on helpline number 1916, ward control room numbers or its twitter handle.

WHAT ARE POLITICIANS SAYING?

The NCP and the Congress lashed out at the Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and have demanded action against the civic officials concerned.

Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, was greeted by angry locals when he visited the spot. He said a probe will be launched to find the reason behind this mishap and action will be taken against the officials responsible for it.

Expressing grief over the incident, he said it was the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that the manholes or drains are covered, but if anyone find them open, they must inform the civic body immediately.

He appealed to the citizens not to open the covers of manholes or drainages in any circumstances, and added that said people should co-operate during such incidents.

(With PTI inputs)