Ujjain: A tragic incident unfolded in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district after a two-year-old boy, Bhagirath Dewasi, was pulled out dead from a borewell following a 22-hour-long rescue operation. Officials confirmed on Friday that the child had died within hours of falling into the narrow shaft, with drowning cited as the cause of death.
The incident occurred in Jhalaria village under Badnagar tehsil on Thursday evening, triggering a large-scale rescue effort involving multiple agencies. Despite swift action by authorities and continuous efforts through the night, the child could not be saved.
Child fell into 200-foot borewell
According to officials, the toddler slipped into an uncovered borewell, approximately 200 feet deep, at around 7.30 pm on Thursday. Bhagirath, who was playing near the site, reportedly dislodged the cover of the borewell using a stone. Mistaking the opening for a bucket, he accidentally stepped inside and fell into the shaft.
His family, originally from Rajasthan’s Pali district, had been camping in the area to graze sheep. The child’s mother rushed to rescue him immediately after the fall but was unable to reach him as he had already slipped deep into the borewell.
Rescue teams later located the child at a depth of nearly 75 feet. The borewell reportedly contained water, which further complicated rescue efforts and contributed to the unfortunate outcome.
Rescue operation faced multiple challenges
Soon after the incident was reported, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched an extensive rescue operation. The teams used iron rods, ropes, and specialised borewell machinery in an attempt to reach the child safely.
However, the operation faced significant hurdles. Efforts to dig a parallel tunnel to reach the child were unsuccessful due to the rocky terrain in the area. Rescuers also attempted to secure the child using a rescue ring, but these attempts failed as they could not properly position it around his hands.
After nearly 22 hours of continuous efforts, the child was finally retrieved from the borewell. However, by then, he had already succumbed.
Post-mortem confirms drowning
Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Mishra stated that the child’s body was transported to a government hospital in Badnagar for further procedures. Authorities confirmed that a post-mortem examination was conducted.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Ashok Patel revealed that Bhagirath had died within a few hours of the fall. The post-mortem report confirmed drowning as the cause of death.
Officials added that strict action would be taken after an investigation to determine whether negligence led to the borewell being left uncovered.
Government announces compensation
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the incident and termed it a tragic loss. He announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh for the bereaved family.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that despite immediate rescue efforts by authorities, the child could not be saved. He also assured that accountability would be fixed if any lapses were found.
Recurring concern over open borewells
The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety hazards posed by uncovered and abandoned borewells across rural areas. Despite repeated warnings and guidelines issued by authorities, such structures continue to pose a serious risk, especially to children.
Local residents and officials have called for stricter enforcement of safety norms, including proper sealing of unused borewells and regular monitoring to prevent such tragedies.
Conclusion
The death of young Bhagirath Dewasi is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers posed by unattended borewells. While rescue teams worked tirelessly under challenging conditions, the loss underscores the urgent need for preventive measures and accountability to ensure such incidents do not recur.