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was a patient of epilepsy.

Some students of Chittagong University living in the area noticed her and rushed to rescue her, but it was too late,the SI said.

“They called 999 and also informed the family. On information, a police team rushed to the spot, but the locals had already taken her to Hathazari Upazila Health Complex, where on-duty doctors declared her dead.”

Rana added Nipa’s body was sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and a case was lodged in this regard.

The incident was being investigated.

The issue of falling into open drains and unprotected canals has been prevalent in the port city since at least 2017.

On July 3, 2017, retired government officer Shilbrata Barua fell into an open drain while on his way to attend a wedding in Bakalia.

On June 9, 2018, a child named Al Amin fell into the drain in Amin Jute Mill area.

On June 30, 2021, three people went missing after an auto-rickshaw fell into a canal in Chashma Hill area of Sholashahar. Two bodies were later recovered.

On August 25, 2021, a 50-year-old vegetable trader slipped and drowned in a canal in Muradpur intersection. His body has not yet been found.

A month later, Sheherin Mahmud Sadia, 19, died after falling into a drain in the city’s Agrabad intersection.

OnDecember 7that year, a 10-year-old boy’s body was recovered three days after he fell in the same canal in Sholashahar Railway Station area.

On April 15 last year, fire service divers rescued a woman from the Osmania canal in Kalurghat area.

On April 9 this year, three-year-old Ojaifa died after falling into an open drain in Sadarghat Nalapara area.