Diaper Helps 20-Day-Old Baby Survive After Monkey Throws Her Into Well in Chhattisgarh
SEVNI VILLAGE, Chhattisgarh, India — In a startling incident that has captured widespread attention across India, a 20-day-old infant survived after being snatched by a monkey and thrown into an open well, thanks in part to the diaper she was wearing that helped her stay afloat.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in Sevni village of Janjgir-Champa district when a group of monkeys was reportedly moving around nearby rooftops. According to local family members, one of the monkeys leapt down and grabbed the newborn from her mother’s arms, causing panic among relatives and neighbours.
In the chaos that ensued, the monkey carried the infant to a nearby terrace before throwing her into a water-filled open well. Witnesses immediately raised the alarm, and villagers rushed to the site. A bucket and rope were lowered into the well, and the baby was pulled out within minutes.
Although the newborn had swallowed some water, she did not sink, and her father, Arvind Rathore, later said the diaper she was wearing played a crucial role in helping her remain afloat long enough for rescuers to reach her.
At that moment, Rajeshwari Rathore, a registered nurse visiting the village for a religious event, arrived at the scene and began administering emergency care. She quickly cleared water from the baby’s airway, gave CPR, and kept her warm, actions that helped restore the infant’s breathing.
The baby was initially taken to the district hospital and later moved to a private hospital for further care. Medical officials later confirmed that her condition was stable and improving.
The father expressed his gratitude to the villagers and the nurse for their swift rescue efforts and said he believed his daughter’s survival was nothing short of a miracle. He also urged other families to be cautious, particularly in rural areas where wildlife encounters can pose unexpected dangers.
This extraordinary episode has sparked renewed discussion about human-wildlife conflict in rural districts, where monkeys and other animals increasingly enter residential areas in search of food or habitat. Residents have called for enhanced safety measures, such as securing open wells and better community awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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