Borewell rescue in Bhuj: 18-year-old girl declared dead after 33hrs

The girl slipped into the borewell at Kanderai village in Bhuj taluka around 6:30 am on Monday and became stuck at 490 feet, nudging the administration to undertake a multi-agency rescue operation.

An 18-year-old girl who fell into a 540-foot-deep borewell in Gujarat’s Kutch district succumbed to her injuries after being rescued following a harrowing 33-hour operation.

The tragic incident occurred in Kanderai village, Bhuj taluka, around 6:30 am on Monday, with the girl becoming trapped at a depth of 490 feet.

Challenging Rescue Operation

The narrow, one-foot diameter of the borewell and the depth at which the teenager was trapped made the rescue mission particularly challenging.

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Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF), local fire department, and police, collaborated in the intense rescue effort.

Rescue Efforts and Technique

Officials employed a “hook technique” to extract the girl, utilizing L and J-shaped hooks to secure her position and apply pressure from below.

A makeshift contraption, prepared with the assistance of local drillers, was also used in the complex operation. Despite the concerted efforts, the girl was declared dead upon arrival at GK General Hospital in Bhuj.

Community Response

AB Jadav, assistant collector and SDM of Bhuj, expressed sorrow over the unfortunate outcome. The incident has brought attention to the dangers of open borewells and the need for preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.

This tragic event highlights the critical importance of safety measures around borewells and the relentless efforts of rescue teams in life-threatening situations.