The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Mowa police station area, where the pit had been excavated to clear sewage from a septic tank. The victim, Riya Mahilang, a resident of Patewa village in Mahasamund district, was visiting Raipur with her parents to attend her aunt’s baby shower ceremony.

According to police, Riya went to use the toilet around 1 pm. At the time, her grandmother was nearby but stepped out briefly to fetch water. As the child moved within the bathroom, her foot got entangled in a sack placed over the pit, causing her to lose balance and fall into the septic tank opening.

Family members and neighbours rushed to the spot after hearing the child’s screams. She was pulled out after considerable effort and immediately taken to a private hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Preliminary findings indicate that the house owner, Jivanlal Kurre, had ordered the pit to be dug four days earlier to drain toilet waste following complaints from tenants. The pit was allegedly covered only with a sack and left unsecured. The bathroom reportedly had no door, leaving the hazardous area exposed.

Police also noted that another pit had been dug outside the bathroom, which was similarly left uncovered, posing a serious risk to residents. An investigation is underway to determine liability and possible negligence.

The tragedy adds to a troubling pattern in Raipur. In 2025, at least three children died in two separate incidents involving open pits. On November 11, two cousins aged eight and seven drowned after falling into a water-filled pit near a government school. The pit had reportedly been dug by a private developer and left unfilled.

In another incident on April 13, three children fell into a pit dug by the municipal corporation in Gulmohar Park, Ramnagar. One child died, while two were rescued by locals. A day earlier, a three-year-old narrowly escaped death after falling into an open pit near Sheetla Temple, saved by a passerby.

Local residents and child rights activists have repeatedly demanded stricter enforcement of safety norms, accountability for contractors and property owners, and immediate sealing of open pits. Authorities say further action will follow after completion of the inquiry.