A two-and-a-half-year-old child lost his life after being accidentally struck in the stomach by a cricket bat while children were playing in Janer village of Moga district on Sunday.

According to police, a group of children were playing cricket at a street in the village. The toddler was standing or walking near the batsman. While attempting to hit a shot, the batsman accidentally swung the bat with force, striking the little boy directly in the stomach.

The impact of the blow was severe. The child collapsed immediately and was rushed to a nearby hospital by family members and onlookers. He could not survive the internal injuries and was declared dead.

Police are looking into the matter. However, initial details point to it being an unintended accident, said Sunita Rani, SHO, Kot Ishe Khan police station.