LAHORE: Three people lost their lives and three others were arrested in a tragic incident at two underground PTCL manholes on Wasu Road in Punjab’s Mandi Bahauddin on Thursday.

According to police and rescue sources, the incident occurred during an attempt to steal PTCL cables. Initial investigations indicate that the group consisted of six individuals who entered two separate manholes.

Due to the cover of one manhole being closed, three people inside suffocated and died on the spot.

The deceased were identified as being aged 21, 23 and 24, all residents of Muzaffargarh district. The bodies were transferred to DHQ Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

The three individuals who entered the second manhole were arrested while allegedly attempting to steal the cables. The arrested individuals, who were also identified as residents of Muzaffargarh district, were taken to the Civil Lines police station.

A report was filed at the police station by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Ashraf Kathia. According to the report, police and rescue officials have stated that further investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A copy of the report is available with Dawn.

Open drains in Pakistan persist due to poor urban planning, lack of maintenance, and weak enforcement of safety standards. During rains, they become invisible hazards, leading to fatal falls, drownings, and injuries, particularly among children.

Earlier in January, five members of a family were rescued after falling into an open drain in Korangi’s Mehran Town area in Karachi, according to Rescue 1122 officials.

In December, a three-year-old boy, Ibrahim, also fell into an open manhole in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal. His body was recovered more than 12 hours after the incident was first reported.

According to the Edhi Foundation, 27 people had lost their lives after falling into open manholes and ditches in the metropolis last year.