Woman, 72, found dead in well in village near Raznj
The body of a 72-year-old woman was recovered from a well in the village of Macija near Raznj. Prosecutors in Nis were notified, and early findings point to no criminal act.
- The body of a woman, 72, was recovered from a well in the village of Macija near Raznj.
- Residents reported the drowning around 9:40 a.m., and police and firefighters were dispatched.
- Firefighters descended into an extremely narrow well and pulled out the body, which showed no signs of life.
- The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Nis was notified; early findings indicate no elements of a criminal act.
The body of a 72-year-old woman was found on June 19 in a well in the village of Macija, in the municipality of Raznj, southern Serbia. Residents reported the drowning at around 9:40 a.m., after which police officers and a fire and rescue unit arrived at the scene. With considerable effort, rescuers descended into an extremely narrow well and recovered the body, which showed no signs of life.
According to the first information from the scene, the cause of death is drowning. Police notified the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Nis, which will decide on further steps at the direction of the duty prosecutor. The woman’s identity has not been officially released; in line with standard practice in such cases, only initials and age are made public.
An operation in a narrow well is among the most demanding tasks for rescue crews. The space is tight, visibility is poor and access is difficult, so every descent requires extra equipment and safety measures. In this case, recovering the body took longer than usual precisely because of the cramped conditions.
What has been established so far?
After the on-site investigation, authorities determined that there were no circumstances pointing to a criminal act. In practical terms, the first findings showed no marks on the body that would suggest the involvement of another person. The final assessment will come from prosecutors, usually after an autopsy report and a police report.
It is important to separate facts from assumptions. Saying there are no elements of a criminal act does not mean the inquiry is closed; it means that, at this stage, there are no indications of a violent death. Only once forensic work is complete will it be clear whether the conclusion of an accidental death stands.
For now the case is being treated as an accident, and the cause of death is, based on available information, linked to drowning. Until official findings confirm all the circumstances, restraint is an obligation, especially toward the woman’s family.
How safe are old, unfenced village wells?
Rural households still have a large number of old wells that are not properly covered or fenced. Many are narrow and deep, and their rims grow unstable over time. For an elderly person who might lean in to draw water or lose their balance, such a well poses a serious danger.
Safety experts have warned for years that abandoned or rarely used wells should be secured with a solid cover and a barrier. These are simple measures that require little investment yet can prevent a tragedy. Unfortunately, it is usually only after incidents like this that the question of securing wells draws attention again.
It remains for prosecutors and police to finish checking all the circumstances before the case is formally closed. Until then, it is worth asking a question that concerns every village: how many open wells around us still stand without a cover, waiting for the next unlucky step?
