Lahore sewage line incident: Women’s body found, search for missing baby underway

2026-01-29 - 04:31

LAHORE – A woman’s body was found approximately 3 kilometers away from Outfall Road, near Bhatti Gate in Lahore, after she and her daughter fell into a sewage line. The search for her 9-month-old daughter, who was also with her at the time of the incident, continues. The family, who had come to Lahore for sightseeing, had visited the Minar-e-Pakistan and Data Darbar. While sitting on the edge of a sewage line, both the woman and the child fell into the drain. Following the tragic incident, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the formation of an investigation committee led by the additional chief secretary to probe the matter. The committee has been instructed to complete the inquiry within 24 hours and submit its report. Additionally, the chief minister directed the suspension of Shabbir Hussain, the Director of TEPA, as well as Zahid Abbas, the Project Director, and Shabbir Ahmad, the Deputy Director, for negligence and failure to ensure safety protocols. Before the woman’s body was discovered, rescue officials had stated that it was technically impossible for a person to drown in the sewage hole, the location of which was pointed out near Data Darbar and the nearby bird market (Parinda Market). The area had previously been excavated for maintenance work. At the time of the incident, the area was poorly lit. Rescue 1122 teams, including specialized rescuers and divers, arrived at the scene within minutes to assist in the search. The Lahore administration also conducted an inspection of the sewage line and determined that no accident had occurred there. However, the woman’s father had earlier told the police that he believed his daughter had been murdered. As a result, three individuals, including the woman’s husband, were initially arrested, but they were later released. The search for the missing child is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.