Child Trapped in Rajshahi Shaft for Over 22 Hours; Rescue Efforts Intensify

Rescue operations are ongoing and have intensified in Rajshahi's Tanore upazila as two-year-old Sazid remains trapped in an abandoned deep tube-well shaft, having fallen in over 22 hours ago (around 1:00 PM yesterday).

Two-year-old Sazid fell into an abandoned, uncovered deep tube-well shaft estimated to be around 30 feet deep. Koel Hat Purbo Para village in Panchandar union, Tanore upazila, Rajshahi.

Rescue Status (11:00 AM Today): Rescue workers have not yet located the child. A parallel pit, now 30 feet deep, has been excavated beside the main shaft. Rescuers are proceeding cautiously due to a pond located only 8 to 10 feet away, to prevent water leakage that could endanger the child.

Rescuers dug nearly 18–20 feet into the soil by 10:50 PM yesterday. Three fire service units, an excavator, and two tractors have been working through the night.

A six-inch plastic pipe was placed into the shaft, extending roughly 35 feet below ground to mark the spot. Oxygen has been continuously pumped into the shaft to keep Sazid alive.

The accident occurred after Sazid's mother, Runa Khatun, visited a field where a soil-laden trolley had sunk.

The mother stated the shaft opening was covered with straw, making it impossible to see, and she heard faint cries of "Ma, Ma" from underground after Sazid slipped in.

Locals noted several similar abandoned shafts in the area, reportedly used to check groundwater levels during tube-well installation.