A child, suspected to be a newborn, was reportedly found stuck in an open borewell at Laripali in the Rengali area of Sambalpur on Tuesday.
On being informed, a team of fire personnel rushed to the spot and efforts are on to rescue the infant.
However, it is not clear how the infant got into the well, which is far from human habitation. Local residents suspect that the infant might have been dumped by someone.
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A pit is being dug near the borewell to reach to the stuck child. Fire personnel are trying their best to save the infant, sources said.
However, no one has come forward to claim the child. Meanwhile, the administration is giving priority to saving the child.
Oxygen supply for infant
Meanwhile, because of possible suffocation, oxygen supply is being provided into the abandoned borewell in the forested area. Three excavators were deployed to dig the pit alongside the borewell. A team of health officials also reached the spot.
Rengali BDO visited the spot to monitor the rescue operation.
As per sources, the circumstantial evidence hinted that the infant was most likely thrown inside the borewell.
Locals said that the borewell has been dug up to 15 ft. An official present at the site said that the place is a private land known as Sriram Field and has been lying abandoned for about 15 years. The borewell was left unused post digging.
Filament bulb to ward off cold
As rescuers were inching closer to the infant stuck in the borewell, they were elated to hear its cries. Amid cold conditions, a filament bulb was sent inside to ensure warmth to the infant.
“The iron pipe of the borewell will be cut open with a hand-cutter instead of a gas cutter to ensure the safety of the infant,” said DG, Odisha Fire Services, Sudhansu Sarangi. It was reported that pipe cutting was started.
An ambulance was kept ready at the spot to facilitate prompt medical intervention. Senior administration officials along with Police, Fire Services, and medical personnel were present at the spot.