In a heartbreaking event in Vasai, a three-year-old girl named Anvika Prajapati tragically lost her life after falling from the 12th floor of a building in Naigaon East. The incident occurred while her mother was assisting her in putting on her shoes near a duct opening in a relative’s apartment. The young girl lost her footing and fell through the shaft, resulting in fatal head injuries.
A three-year-old girl has died after falling from the 12th floor of a high-rise building in Naigaon East, Vasai, on Monday evening. The child, known as Anvika Prajapati, reportedly fell while her mother was attempting to help her put on her shoes near a duct opening in a relative’s flat. The tragic event took place around 8:30 PM on July 22, as Anvika and her mother were getting ready to leave a relative’s residence located on the 12th floor of the same housing complex where they reside. According to police reports, the toddler was seated on a shoe rack positioned near a duct when she lost her balance and fell through the shaft. “She was sitting on the shoe rack while her mother was preparing her to leave. In the process of lifting her, the girl lost her balance and fell through the duct,” stated an officer from the Naigaon police station. Anvika was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival due to severe head injuries. The Naigaon police have filed an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
That’s an incredibly heartbreaking incident. The tragic death of little Anvika Prajapati is a sobering reminder of how quickly accidents can happen, especially in high-rise apartments where architectural features like open ducts or unguarded shafts pose serious risks—particularly to young children.
Here are a few important reflections and takeaways from such tragedies:
1. Child Safety in High-Rise Buildings
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Ducts and Shafts: These areas must always be securely covered or sealed, particularly in residential buildings. Even a small opening can become a fatal hazard.
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Furniture Placement: Items like shoe racks, chairs, or stools should not be placed near potentially dangerous openings or railings where a child might climb or fall.
2. Preventive Measures
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Secure Openings: Builders, housing societies, and residents must ensure that ducts and similar openings are fitted with strong grills or covers.
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Childproofing Homes: Especially in high-rise apartments, parents and caregivers should regularly audit living spaces for potential dangers—balcony railings, windows, gaps, and furniture that can be climbed on.
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Awareness Campaigns: Housing societies can benefit from periodic awareness sessions on child safety, emergency protocols, and responsible design.
