2 kids drown while trying to swim in rainwater-filled pit in Delhi

The deceased were identified as Imran, 9, and Zeeshan, 11. Police said an enquiry has been initiated into the matter.

Two boys drowned in a rainwater-filled pit at a vacant Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plot in Narela, north Delhi, allegedly while swimming on Thursday, an officer said.

Police said the pit was located at the vacant property, is about five to seven feet deep, and was recently filled with rainwater. (Photo for representation) (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photos )

The deceased were identified as Imran, 9, and Zeeshan, 11. Police said an enquiry has been initiated into the matter.

According to police, the boys, who were residents of the Bawana area, had left home in the morning for school. After their classes, they went to the plot at 100 Foota Road, near DDA flats, Narela, around 1pm, entered the pit to swim and drowned.

“We received information from locals about two children drowning in a rainwater-filled pit. The two boys were spotted by the other children who called the locals, who rescued them and rushed them to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital, but declared dead on arrival, ”said Shobhit Saxena, DCP (Outernorth).

Locals said many children visit the area to play and swim after school hours.

DDA, in an official statement, stated that the incident took place at a vacant plot that had been secured by the authority through the construction of a boundary wall to prevent unauthorised access.

“However, portions of the boundary wall have been repeatedly damaged by people despite repairs undertaken by DDA. Such incidents of damage, theft and unauthorised activities in the area have also been brought to the notice of the police through complaints/FIRs and other communications from time to time. DDA has repeatedly taken up the issue of law and order and security in Narela with Delhi Police,” the statement read.

DDA is extending all necessary cooperation to the police and other concerned authorities in the matter.

“Further preventive measures, including strengthening of the boundary and enhanced surveillance of vulnerable vacant plots in the area, are also being examined to avoid recurrence of such incidents,” it added.

The deceased studied at a Delhi government school. “Imran’s father works at a factory. Zeeshan was his friend. A lot of kids go there to play, but nothing has ever happened. We found out about the incident around 1.30 pm when some kids had gone to swim there and found our kids’ bodies floating. The pit is more than 5 feet deep. Even I would drown. I hope the authorities clear the pit. Imran was the youngest child in the house. All we found were his schoolbag and shoes,” Mamun, Imran’s relative, told HT.