Rescuers dig through night to save toddler trapped 50ft down borehole

Rescue teams battle through the night in a desperate bid to reach two-year-old Swadhin, who remains trapped more than 50 feet inside a narrow, abandoned tube-well borehole in Koelhat village of Tanore in Rajshahi.

As of 10:00pm Wednesday, fire service personnel supported by an excavator had dug approximately 35 feet parallel to the shaft, while continuously pumping oxygen into the pipe in the hope of keeping the toddler alive.

The tragedy unfolded around 1:00pm on Wednesday when Swadhin, walking hand-in-hand with his mother Runa Laila through a field, stepped on a pile of straw covering the uncovered mouth of the disused deep tube-well. 

He plunged straight in, managing only to cry “Ma, Ma” before disappearing. Villagers and his mother heard faint responses until at least 4:00pm, giving rescuers precious hope that the child was still breathing.

The borehole, owned by a local resident named Taher and left exposed for years, is barely wide enough for a small child. Initial attempts to lower ropes or cameras failed due to the extreme narrowness and unstable soil.

Three fire service units – from Tanore, Godagari and a specialised team from Chapainawabganj – are now on site, along with police and hundreds of anxious villagers. Heavy machinery arrived only around 5 pm, delaying the start of lateral digging.

Rajshahi Fire Service Assistant Director Didarul Alam told reporters at the scene late Wednesday night: “We have completed roughly 20 feet excavated so far. Oxygen is being supplied continuously, and we are proceeding with utmost caution to avoid any collapse that could bury the child further. We still believe he is alive and are doing everything humanly possible.”

Tanore Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinuzzaman added: “The child responded to calls earlier in the evening – that has kept everyone’s spirits up. But the soil is loose and the pipe is extremely tight. This is one of the most difficult rescues we have faced.”

Throughout the night, villagers maintained a vigil, reciting prayers and holding candles, while volunteers helped clear soil and kept floodlights powered. Swadhin’s parents, Rakib and Runa Laila, remained at the edge of the pit, comforted by neighbours.

Rescuers say the operation could take several more hours, depending on ground conditions. A collapse of the surrounding earth remains the greatest fear.

The nation watches anxiously as emergency teams work without pause, determined to bring little Swadhin back to the surface alive. The rescue remains ongoing.