Efforts on to Trace 6-Year-Old Girl Who Fell Into Drain in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: As many as 30 rescue teams have swung into action to trace the six-year-old girl, who went missing after falling into an open drain here.

Nearly 30 rescue teams, including police, fire service, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), along with locals and earth excavators, have been searching the drains spanning a length of 3.5 km in HB Colony and MVP Colony and the neighbourhood area here.

Adithi, a first standard student of Etasi Timpany School here, who was returning from tuition along with three other girls at 6 pm on Thursday, accidentally slipped and fell into the drain at HB Colony here while getting into a car.

As the area was waterlogged due to flash floods that occurred due to heavy rains, she was swept away the moment she fell into the drain.

The district authorities have requested the Indian Navy to depute divers and helicopter to scout the beaches, as the drain connects to a major drain that leads to the sea.

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The Navy responded to the request and has joined the efforts.

Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who visited the spot yesterday, said the series of recent tragic incidents has dented the city's image which is to get 'smart city' status.

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He was referring to the recent mishaps, including electrocution, mauling by stray dogs, etc, suffered by minor children in the city.

GVMC Commissioner Pravin Kumar has been told to initiate an enquiry into the incident, the minister said.