In a heartbreaking incident on Wednesday morning, a cave-in at the Lothal archaeological site in Gujarat claimed the life of Surabhi Verma, a 23-year-old PhD scholar from IIT Delhi. Three other researchers, including two from IIT Gandhinagar, were injured when the pit they were working in collapsed. The team was conducting soil sampling research on the ancient Harappan port town of Lothal, located 80 km from Ahmedabad.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Om Prakash Jat confirmed that the four researchers were inside a 10-foot-deep pit when its wall suddenly collapsed, burying them under a mound of soil. While Surabhi Verma tragically passed away at the scene, the other three were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are reportedly in stable condition.
The research team was at Lothal, an important Indus Valley Civilization site, to study its historical significance. The site is renowned for its well-preserved dockyard, which is key to understanding the maritime activities of the ancient civilization.
This incident has highlighted concerns over the safety of researchers working at archaeological sites. Despite the essential nature of this research, the accident underscores the potential risks involved. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols to prevent future tragedies at such sites.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
