Child dies after falling into open manhole at Budumburam

Residents of Blue Rose Estate in Budumburam were left in shock on Friday morning after an eight-year-old boy, Elijah Carbah, died when he fell into an abandoned, water-filled manhole in the community.

The Budumburam Fire Station said they received a distress call at 7:40 am, prompting an immediate response. When the rescue team arrived at 7:54 am, they were informed that one of the victims, 16-year-old Andrews, had already been pulled from the manhole by residents and rushed to St. Gregory Hospital.

Fire personnel then began a desperate search for the second child. According to officials, visibility in the manhole was extremely poor due to the depth and the volume of water, slowing the process and heightening concerns among residents who had gathered at the scene.

After several minutes of searching, the team located Elijah and brought him out. He was immediately taken to St. Gregory Hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Residents say the manhole has been left open and filled with rainwater for months, despite repeated complaints to estate managers. Some expressed frustration, noting that children frequently play around the area.

Community members are calling for urgent action from local authorities to seal abandoned manholes and improve safety measures within the estate to prevent another tragedy.

Police have begun investigations into the incident, while the fire service has urged the public to report any unsecured manholes or open drains in their communities.