Sajid, the child who fell into a deep tube-well shaft in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, has been declared dead.

Doctors at the emergency department of Tanore Upazila Health Complex pronounced him dead at 9:40pm on Thursday, moments after he was brought in around 9:35pm. They said the child had died earlier.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operations) Lt Col Tajul Islam Chowdhury said Sajid was rescued around 9pm after prolonged efforts.

The accident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Koelhat village under Panchandar union when Sajid, walking with his mother and brother, stepped onto a patch of land covered with straw.

His mother was unaware that an unprotected, abandoned deep tube-well shaft lay beneath the straw.

Hearing Sajid scream “Ma, Ma,” she turned back to find him missing. When villagers removed the straw, the uncovered pit became visible.

Local residents said a villager attempted to install a deep tube-well at the spot last year, but after failing to find water even at 120 feet, the pipe and shaft were abandoned with the mouth left open.

Monsoon rains widened the opening, and the lack of any warning sign or cover led to Thursday’s fatal incident, they alleged.