7-year-old girl dies after falling into septic tank in UP’s Khoda

According to police, the incident took place outside the house of the girl’s maternal grandfather, Akiullah Khan, around 3pm, when two people — who had been hired privately — were cleaning the tank.

A seven-year-old girl died after falling into a septic tank at Kala Vihar locality in Khoda on Wednesday afternoon, police said, adding that her body has been sent for postmortem and her family has been asked to forward a complaint.

Family members mourn the death of the minor girl. (HT Photo)

According to police, the incident took place outside the house of the girl’s maternal grandfather, Akiullah Khan, around 3pm, when two people — who had been hired privately — were cleaning the tank.

Ravi Kumar, assistant superintendent of police, Indirapuram, said, “We have sent the body for postmortem. We have also asked her family to file a formal complaint so that proper legal procedure can be followed.”

KK Bhadana, executive officer of the Khoda Nagar Palika, meanwhile, said, “It was a private septic tank, not constructed or maintained by the Nagar Palika. Some people, who were hired privately, were cleaning the tank when the incident took place.”

Police, on the other hand, said they are yet to verify if the septic tank was a private one.

“I was about to send her back to the village and was trying to get her train tickets booked. Seconds before the incident, she came running from inside the house and could not maintain balance. So she slipped inside. Later, some locals climbed down the tank and pulled her out. I have informed her mother and she will arrive soon,” he added.