In a terrifying accident in Tanore Upazila, Rajshahi, a two-year-old boy named Sajid has fallen into a dangerously narrow pit, prompting a high-stakes rescue mission that has now been ongoing for more than 20 hours. Despite continuous efforts by three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the child has yet to be retrieved.
The incident occurred around 1:15 pm on Wednesday, 10 December, in the Koelhat Purba Para area of Pachandar Union. Sajid, playing near a paddy field where his mother had gone to collect straw, fell into an abandoned hole with a mere eight-inch diameter, descending 35 feet below the surface.
Assistant Director of the Rajshahi Fire Station, Didarul Islam, explained that villagers had tried to rescue the child before fire service units arrived, but their efforts inadvertently caused some soil to collapse into the pit. Following this, three dedicated units from Tanore, Chapainawabganj, and Rajshahi Sadar joined forces to continue the rescue operation.
Oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to sustain the child while excavation proceeds, with a mechanical excavator having already cleared much of the soil surrounding the pit. Officials warn that reaching the child safely could still require two to three additional hours.
The pit is located in farmland owned by Kachir Uddin, who had attempted to dig a semi-deep tube well for irrigation approximately a year ago. The borehole proved dry and was abandoned, leaving an eight-inch-wide hole exposed for the past year.
Locals described the rescue as both terrifying and painstaking, expressing concern over the stability of the soil and the safety of the child. “It is crucial we act carefully,” a fire official said, “one wrong move could endanger him further.”
Medical teams stand ready to provide immediate treatment once Sajid is extracted, and the operation has drawn the attention of the wider community. The nation watches anxiously, praying for his safe return.
Authorities continue to stress patience and caution as the rescue progresses, highlighting the delicate balance between speed and safety in such a critical situation.