A five-year-old boy has tragically died after being found in a rainwater-filled pit in Daulatdia area of Goalanda upazila in Rajbari district, casting a deep pall of grief over the local community.
The deceased, identified as Sanvir Molla (5), son of Faruk Molla of the Tamez Uddin Mridha Para area of Daulatdia Union, had been visiting his maternal grandfather’s house in the nearby Seidalpara locality with his mother, Sumi Khatun, for a few days prior to the incident.
According to family accounts, the child had been playing around the house in the afternoon on Wednesday when he suddenly went missing. His mother said she briefly left the house around 2:00 pm to fetch drinking water. When she returned, she could not find her son. Initially, the family assumed he might be nearby, but as time passed and repeated searches yielded no result, concern grew rapidly.
Locals later joined the search effort, scouring the surrounding area. After nearly two hours, residents discovered the boy lying unconscious in a large water-filled pit near the bank of the old Padma River. The pit, created by erosion and left unfilled, had accumulated rainwater and resembled a small pond, making it extremely hazardous, particularly for children.
He was immediately rescued and rushed to Goalanda Upazila Health Complex, where on-duty doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Key details of the incident
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Sanvir Molla |
| Age | 5 years |
| Residence | Daulatdia, Goalanda, Rajbari |
| Location of incident | Water-filled pit near old Padma riverbank |
| Time of disappearance | Afternoon, Wednesday |
| Time of discovery | Approximately 2 hours later |
| Condition when found | Unconscious in water |
| Place of death confirmation | Goalanda Upazila Health Complex |
| Initial assessment | Death due to drowning |
Police confirmed that they were informed shortly after the incident. Inspector (Investigation) Md. Rashidul Islam of Goalanda Ghat Police Station stated that as the family did not raise any allegations, and following legal procedures, they applied for the body to be handed over without an autopsy. The body was released to the family at around 8:00 pm on Wednesday evening. An unnatural death case has been filed in connection with the incident.
The tragic death has triggered widespread sorrow in the locality. Residents have expressed concern over the presence of unprotected and deep pits in the area, many of which fill with rainwater during the monsoon season and turn into dangerous traps for children. Community members have urged local authorities to take urgent steps to fill, fence, or secure such hazardous sites to prevent further tragedies.
The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of children in rural and river-adjacent areas, where unregulated land depressions and erosion-prone zones often remain exposed and unsafe.