Bhagalpur: An accident occurred on the first Monday of Shravan in Bhagalpur, resulting in the drowning of four young boys at the Ganga Ghat. The incident happened at around 1 AM when 11 friends went to Madhurapur Ganga Jahaj Ghat, under the Bhawanipur police station area, to collect water from the Ganga River. Local residents attempted to rescue them, and with the help of divers, all 11 boys were pulled from the water, but unfortunately, four of them did not survive.
The deceased boys, all residents of Naya Tola in the Navgachiya police station area, were identified as Shivam Kumar (18), Sonu Kumar (16), Alok Kumar (18), and Sanjeev Kumar (17).
According to officials, the group of friends had gone to the Ganga Ghat for a ritual bath on the first Monday of Shravan. They ventured too far into the deep water, leading to the drowning. Initially, one boy, Alok, began to drown after jumping into the river. In an attempt to save him, the other boys followed suit, resulting in all 11 being caught in the strong currents. Despite the locals’ efforts to save them, four boys succumbed to the water.
The rescue operation saw seven boys saved, thanks to the prompt action of local residents. The rescued boys have been identified, and they are being provided with necessary support and care.
Authorities, including Bhawanipur Police Station Chief Inspector Mahesh Kumar, Circle Officer Vishal Agarwal, and RO Bharat Kumar Jha, rushed to the scene and initiated an investigation into the incident. The police also called the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team to assist in the rescue and recovery operations.
As news of the incident spread, a large crowd of devotees and local residents gathered at the spot. The incident has sparked fear and anger among the community, with many blaming the local administration for not implementing timely safety measures, such as barricading the dangerous areas of the ghat.
