A heartbreaking incident in the Khunti district of Jharkhand led to the death of an 8-year-old schoolboy, Suraj Manjhi, on Monday. The child, a student at the Rajkriyakrit Kanya Madhya Vidyalaya, had just finished his midday meal and went to fetch water as the school’s hand pump was out of order. Along with his friends, Suraj went to a nearby, unsafe well outside the school premises. Tragically, he slipped and fell into the well, resulting in his death.
The school staff immediately responded to the emergency, retrieving the boy and transporting him to the Murhu CHC. Despite their efforts, medical personnel declared him dead upon arrival, causing shock and sadness among the school community. The malfunctioning hand pump had caused water shortages, with the school cook drawing water from the same well for cooking and drinking.
The District Education Superintendent is investigating the incident and has promised to take action against anyone found responsible. This tragedy is reminiscent of a similar incident in June 2025 in the Murhu area, where two young children died after falling into a well that was under construction. Despite the efforts of an NDRF rescue team, the children could not be saved then either.