After Delhi biker mishap, another shocker: Drunk labourer falls into open manhole on DDA land; body pulled out after 24 hours

Representative image

• Labourer Birju Kumar died after falling into an open sewer manhole in Delhi.
• Rescue teams recovered him from the 14-foot-deep manhole; he was declared dead
• DDA officials covered the manhole to prevent more accidents.

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A 30-year-old labourer died after allegedly falling into an open sewer manhole in the Begumpur area of Rohini, police said on Tuesday. Despite a rescue operation launched by the police and fire department, the man could not be saved.

The incident took place near Mahashakti Kali Temple in Sector 32, Rohini, on a vacant plot of land. The victim was identified as Birju Kumar, a resident of Samastipur in Bihar, who was working as a labourer at an under-construction building.

Police said a PCR call was received at Begumpur police station around 2.36 pm reporting that a man was missing and suspected to have fallen into an open sewer. "When police teams reached the spot, they were informed that Birju and friend Budhan Das had been drinking and were walking towards their jhuggi on Monday evening when the incident took place. The plot of land belongs to DDA," a police officer said.

"Birju's friend told police that both of them had consumed alcohol and were walking in an inebriated state around 7.30pm. He said Birju suddenly lost balance and fell into the open manhole. The friend initially lost consciousness due to intoxication and later realised that Birju had fallen into the drain," the police officer added.

The next morning, Budhan Das informed another friend, Amir Hussain, about the incident.

Police said the manhole was around 14 feet deep and approximately two feet in diameter. After the Delhi Development Authority and other agencies were alerted, an ambulance and water extraction equipment were rushed to the site. Rescue personnel began a search operation and eventually recovered Birju from the pit.

Delhi Fire Services received a call regarding the incident around 7.45 pm and pulled the man out in an unconscious state. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Following the incident, DDA officials covered the open manhole to prevent further accidents. There was no comment from the agency till the time of going to press.