A tragic incident occurred near Data Darbar when a mother, Saadia, and her child, Rida, fell into a manhole at Bhatti Chowk, resulting in their deaths. The child’s body was recovered approximately seven kilometers from the site, while the mother’s body was found three kilometers away after an extensive 18-hour rescue operation.

Rescue teams, including the Civil Defense, Edhi Foundation, and the Central Muslim League, worked continuously at the site. Initially, the operation focused on a specific area based on the assumption that the bodies could not pass through the pipes. After the mother’s body was found, authorities expanded the search area to ensure all possible locations were covered.

The incident prompted immediate administrative action. The Director General of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) suspended the entire team working on the Data Darbar project. Those suspended include the Project Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, and Sub-Engineer.

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Authorities also directed that a case be registered against the contractor responsible for the project. Shock notices have been issued to the contractor, the private company, and the resident engineer from NESPAK overseeing the project.

Officials emphasized that the investigation would examine safety lapses and ensure accountability for negligence that led to the deaths. The incident has raised serious concerns over public safety and infrastructure management in the city.

Authorities have assured that strict measures will be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future, highlighting the urgent need for safety audits in public construction projects.