Mumbai: 5-year-old boy drowns in water tank in Malad's Malwani

A fiveyearold boy drowned in an uncovered water tank on the terrace of a building in the Malwani area in Malad West police saidThe incident took place in Navjivan Society on Monday evening Police have identified the deceased as Abdul Rehman Shaikh a resident of house number 15According to the police Shaikh was with his friend who is the son of Laiek Siddique a neighbour and resident of house number 18Police said that Shaikhrsquos mother was looking for him and called him to the house only to find that he was not playing with his friend Concerned Shaikhrsquos mother along with Siddiques other children began searching for him when another neighbor mentioned seeing Shaikh going up the terracePolice said that Siddiquersquos 16yearold daughter went up to the terrace to check but could not find him That is when she noticed the uncovered water tank and upon looking inside she found Shaikh submergedShe screamed for help and together with others they pulled him out Shaikh was rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared him dead upon arrival said policeShaikhrsquos family alleged that the water tank lid on Siddiquies terrace had been left open which led to this incident The deceasedrsquos mother had reportedly warned Siddique and his family about the potential danger as the children often play on the terraceIf the tank lid had been securely closed this accident could have been avoided said Shaikhrsquos grandfather Gulam Qadir He further demanded a fair investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those responsible for the negligencePolice said that Shaikhrsquos father who works in Saudi Arabia has been informed about the incidentldquoThe grief of his loss feels like a mountain upon usrdquo shared a family member mourning the devastating tragedy that has shaken their householdSiddique also expressed grief over the tragic incident ldquoRehman and his family are like my own His death has come as a big shock to usrdquoAddressing societyrsquos ongoing water issues Siddique explained ldquoWe often have to monitor water levels while filling the tank There was a lid on the tank but it wasnrsquot locked We still donrsquot understand how the child managed to reach the tankrdquoAn accidental death report has been registered and the body has been sent for autopsy to ascertain the cause of death and accordingly action will be taken said an officer from Malwani police station