A tragic incident occurred during the Chaiti Chhath celebrations in Patna City on Wednesday, where three youths drowned while taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Damrahi Ghat. The police reported that a group of devotees had gathered at the ghat for Chhath rituals when the incident took place. Five youths entered the river to bathe, but three of them lost balance due to sudden depth and strong currents.
Local residents initiated rescue efforts and alerted the police after the three youths were swept away in the deep waters. Two of the youths were rescued with the help of divers and taken to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, where they were declared dead. The deceased have been identified as Ganesh Kumar (18) and Rohit Kumar (19), residents of Hanuman Nagar in Patna.
The third youth, identified as Sibu, is still missing, prompting ongoing search operations with the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force. The incident caused chaos and panic at the ghat, leaving the victims’ families in distress. Dr. Gaurav Kumar, SDPO-II, Patna City, mentioned that initial investigations suggest the youths may have been caught in strong currents while trying to take selfies.
Officials emphasized the importance of adhering to safety guidelines at riverbanks, especially during events like Chhath, to prevent accidents. Despite repeated warnings, many individuals tend to ignore safety protocols, engaging in risky behaviors like taking selfies and entering deep waters. The administration urged devotees and the public to exercise caution and follow safety measures to avert similar tragedies in the future.
