A probe committee formed by the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) has identified nine reasons behind the tragic death of six-month-old Sehresh, who fell into the Hijra Canal in Kapasgola, Chittagong. The investigation points to mismanagement, negligence, and a lack of coordination between the CCC and the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) as key factors contributing to the incident.According to discussions with committee members, while not directly responsible, the CCC and CDA bear indirect responsibility for the tragedy. Timely action and better coordination between the involved agencies could have prevented this heartbreaking incident. On the night of 18 April, a battery-operated rickshaw lost control on a road adjacent to Nawab Hotel in Kapasgola and fell into the nearby Hijra Canal. The rickshaw was carrying six-month-old Sehresh, her mother, and her grandmother. While the mother and grandmother were rescued, Sehresh was swept away by the canal’s current. Her body was recovered from Chaktai Canal approximately 14 hours later the next morning.
The probe committee revealed that there was no safety barrier along the canal at the accident site. Previously, a bamboo fence had been in place, but it was removed on 10 April for CDA’s waterlogging mitigation project. No new barrier was installed afterward, and the CCC was not informed of this change. Although the canal’s depth increased due to the project, no warning signs or markers were placed.
Committee members further noted that the road beside the canal is narrow and sloped. During rain, the road becomes level with the canal, which happened on the day of the accident. Despite the area being a densely populated residential zone, there was no adequate lighting, warning signs, or railings. Traveling through this area at night was risky, but there were no indicators to alert commuters to the danger.
