Dhanbad — Four of the six youths who drowned while bathing in the Damodar River near Telmocho Bridge on Wednesday have been found dead, while rescue teams continue to look for the remaining two, officials reported.
The incident took place when two groups of local youths had gone to the river for a holy dip on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. The first group, from Bhimkanali under Baghmara police station, entered the water around 11 a.m. and were swept away by a sudden surge. Three of them were rescued by villagers, but two — identified as Sumit Rai (17) and Sunny Chauhan (21) — went missing.
The second group, from Bhuli A-Block, included Vijay Yadav, Rohit alias Chhotu, Rohan alias Golu, Priyanshu, and Anish. Priyanshu remained on the bank while the others stepped into the river. When they did not return, he raised the alarm and informed their families.
As news of the tragedy spread, panic and anger spread through the area. On Thursday morning, locals and relatives blocked the Dhanbad–Bokaro road, demanding that rescue efforts be intensified and that those responsible for delayed action be held accountable. Police officials and district administrators reached the scene and pacified the crowd.
One of the deceased was identified as Vijay Yadav of Bhuli A-Block. Divers and villagers are still searching for the missing youths. Officials said illegal sand mining may have deepened parts of the river, changing the flow and increasing the risk of drowning.
Baghmara Block Development Officer Girjanand Kisku confirmed that six boys drowned in the Damodar’s swift current, adding that four bodies have been retrieved so far. “The NDRF team is yet to arrive. Once they reach, the rescue operation will be intensified,” he said.
With inputs from IANS