This is the moment 150 people search for a toddler 50 hours after she accidentally stepped into an open manhole and was washed away in the sewer as her gran watched.
The three-year-old, who has not been named, was walking home with her grandmother during a recent rainstorm when she disappeared into the sewers at roughly 5pm local time on 11th June.
Video Credit: AsiaWire
Officials in the city of Dongguan in China’s southern Guangdong Province said there was still no sign of the child as of 9am today (13th June).
Footage shows firefighters and other rescuers entering the sewer system in the city’s Xiaobian Community, with the child’s grandmother seen crying in distress on the sidelines.
Authorities say they believe the recent heavy rains, which have caused flooding throughout southern China, lifted the metal cover off the manhole.
The exposed sewer entrance was then concealed under muddy standing water, causing the tot to step through the uncovered manhole while walking home.
Rescuers said they searched roughly 2.2 kilometres (1.3 miles) of sewer, reaching to the sewer waste transfer station; however, there was no sign of the girl.
The fire service, including some 150 rescuers, said they were still searching for the child.
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Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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