LAHORE, June 10: The family of a six-year-old boy who is feared drowned in the Lahore Branch Canal near FC College bridge on Monday lodged a protest against a failed search and rescue operation by blocking Canal Road for two hours.

Rescue 1122 Water Rescue Service officials said the body could not be retrieved despite efforts that continued till the evening.

Police said the victim, Farhan, went to the canal bank along with his parents and some relatives for recreation. He suddenly disappeared with reports that he accidentally fell into the water channel when his family was taking meal.

After noticing his disappearance, his father Arif of Iqbal Town started a search along with relatives. On being told that the boy might have fallen into the water, Arif jumped into the canal and searched for his son, but in vain.

The victim’s shocked mother, Fauzia, fell unconscious.

Rescue 1122 was alerted which launched efforts to recover the child, but to no avail.

Arif told the police that his family along with some relatives had gone to the canal to beat the heat. He complained that a thorough search was not launched by closing the canal.

Meanwhile, the rescuers also failed to fish out the body of 20-year-old Usman who was feared drowned in BRB Canal near Jallo Mor on Sunday. Water rescue teams searched the canal up to Ravi Siphon to retrieve the body.

Rescue 1122 spokesman Jam Sajjad said the rescue operation would resume on Tuesday (today) with the help of district administration by installing a net in the canal.

FIRE: A fire broke out in a shop on Aamir Road near Akram Park on Monday, burning down valuables worth hundreds of thousands.

Rescue 1122 Fire Service brought the blaze under control. — Staff Reporter