Lahore water park sealed after girl dies in drainage pipe incident

LAHORE: The district administration has sealed a private water park in Batapur after a nine-year-old girl died when she allegedly became trapped in a drainage pipe during pool draining operations.

The incident took place on Monday at Sozo Water Park, where, according to police, the management allegedly started emptying a swimming pool before ensuring that children had come out of the water. Police said suction from a high-capacity drainage pump pulled the child into the pool’s drainage pipe, leaving her stuck inside.

Rescue teams searched for the girl for about 40 to 50 minutes before locating her in the drainage line. She could not be revived. After the incident, the Lahore district administration shut the facility and suspended its activities. A district administration spokesperson said the water park had been operating without the required fitness and safety arrangements.

Batapur police have registered a criminal case over the death and arrested three officials of the water park. The case concerns the alleged negligence of the park administration in connection with the child’s death.