Tragedy Strikes Chhath Puja Celebrations in Patna
In a heartbreaking incident, two young men lost their lives, and another is missing after drowning in the Ganga river during the sacred arghya ritual of Chhath Puja. The tragedy occurred at Damrahi Ghat in Patna City on Wednesday morning, casting a shadow over the festive celebrations.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The victims have been identified as Ganesh Kumar, aged 18, and Rohit Kumar, aged 19, both residents of Hanuman Nagar under the Kankarbagh police station area. The missing youth is Shibu, aged 18. According to authorities, the incident took place around 7 am when a large crowd of devotees had gathered at the ghat for the fourth day of Chhath Puja.
Malsalami Station House Officer Sunil Kumar provided a detailed account, stating, "The three youths, all from the Kankarbagh area, ventured into the river for a holy bath. They crossed the safety barricades installed by the administration. Due to the river's significant depth and strong currents, they lost their balance and began drowning."
Rescue Efforts Underway
Upon receiving the alert, the Malsalami police, in coordination with a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team, immediately rushed to the scene. The rescue operation was swiftly launched, resulting in the recovery of two bodies from the water. Search efforts are ongoing to locate the missing youth, Shibu, with teams combing the river area intensively.
Separate Drowning Incident in Patna
In a related and equally tragic event, an 18-year-old youth drowned in a pond at Surya Mandir Ghat in Patna's Daniyawan police station area. This occurred during the final arghya offering of Chhath Puja on Wednesday morning. The deceased has been identified as Akash Kumar, son of Akhilesh Yadav, a resident of Chhoti Kewai village under the Shahjahanpur police station.
These incidents highlight the risks associated with water bodies during religious festivals, despite safety measures. Authorities urge devotees to exercise extreme caution and adhere to designated safe zones to prevent such tragedies in the future.
