Three teenagers drown in Narmada River at Dadda Ghat, Jabalpur
Synopsis
Three teenagers from Jabalpur's Mujawar locality drowned in the Narmada River at Dadda Ghat on Saturday after drifting into deep water during an afternoon outing. Their bodies were recovered three hours later, entangled in underwater bushes — a preventable tragedy at an unmonitored ghat with no lifeguard presence.
Key Takeaways
Sohil , Sabir , and Sahil , aged between 16 and 18 , drowned in the Narmada River at Dadda Ghat , Jabalpur , on 27 June .
The group of eight friends arrived at the ghat by motorcycle at around 2 pm for an outing.
Surviving friends initially fled in panic; one later informed family members, who alerted police.
Local divers recovered the bodies after nearly three hours of searching; they were found entangled in underwater bushes.
CSP Garha Ashish Jain confirmed a case of unnatural death has been registered and friend statements are being recorded.
Post-mortem examinations are underway at Government Medical College, Jabalpur .
Three teenagers drowned while bathing in the Narmada River at Dadda Ghat in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday, 27 June, after the trio ventured into deeper waters and were unable to stay afloat, according to police. The victims have been identified as Sohil, Sabir, and Sahil, all aged between 16 and 18 years, and residents of the Mujawar locality under the Garha area of Jabalpur.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The three youths, along with five friends, had left home earlier in the day and arrived at Dadda Ghat on motorcycles at around 2 pm for an outing. The group entered the river for a bath, after which the three victims moved into deeper stretches of water and began struggling to stay afloat. Their companions made desperate attempts to pull them to safety but were unable to do so, and the trio disappeared beneath the surface within moments.
Frightened, the surviving friends initially returned home in panic. One of them later informed family members about the incident, prompting relatives and local residents to rush to the ghat and alert the authorities.
Search Operation and Recovery
CSP Garha Ashish Jain said police were alerted after the boys remained untraceable for an extended period and their clothes were found lying on the riverbank. 'A police team immediately reached the spot and launched a search operation. Since the location is not frequented by bathers, local divers were called in to assist with the search,' he said.
After nearly three hours of intensive searching, divers located the bodies entangled in underwater bushes near the ghat. The remains were recovered and sent to the Government Medical College, Jabalpur, for post-mortem examinations. Bereaved families were subsequently informed.
What Police Say
A case of unnatural death has been registered. Jain stated: 'Prima facie, it appears the youths accidentally entered deep water while bathing. The exact sequence of events is being verified, and statements of their friends are being recorded as part of the investigation.' All three victims were reportedly engaged in private employment and had no known plans beyond the afternoon outing.
A Recurring Danger at Riverside Ghats
The incident highlights an ongoing safety concern at riverside bathing sites across Madhya Pradesh, where unmarked deep-water zones and the absence of lifeguards contribute to preventable drowning deaths, particularly among young people during summer months. Dadda Ghat, according to police, is not a regularly frequented bathing spot, which compounded the delay in alerting authorities. This tragedy is a grim reminder of the risks posed by unmonitored river stretches during the pre-monsoon season.
Point of View
Where the absence of lifeguards, depth markers, and public safety signage turns routine outings into tragedies. Dadda Ghat is reportedly not a regular bathing site, yet there were no barriers or warnings to deter entry. State authorities have periodically issued river-safety advisories, but enforcement at informal ghats remains negligible. Until systematic lifeguard deployment and hazard demarcation reach beyond designated tourist ghats, young lives will continue to be lost to rivers that could, with basic infrastructure, be made far safer.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three teenagers who drowned in the Narmada River in Jabalpur?
The victims have been identified as Sohil , Sabir , and Sahil , all aged between 16 and 18 years and residents of the Mujawar locality under the Garha area of Jabalpur. All three were reportedly engaged in private employment.
Where exactly did the Jabalpur drowning incident occur?
The drowning occurred at Dadda Ghat on the Narmada River in Jabalpur district , Madhya Pradesh. Police noted that the ghat is not a regularly frequented bathing spot, which delayed the alert to authorities.
How were the bodies recovered?
After nearly three hours of searching, local divers called in by police located the three bodies entangled in underwater bushes near the ghat. The remains were subsequently sent to Government Medical College, Jabalpur, for post-mortem examinations.
What action has the police taken after the Narmada drowning?
CSP Garha Ashish Jain confirmed that a case of unnatural death has been registered. Police are recording statements from the five surviving friends to establish the exact sequence of events. The investigation is ongoing.
What time did the incident happen and how was it reported?
The group reached Dadda Ghat at around 2 pm on 27 June . The surviving friends initially returned home in panic; one later informed family members, who alerted police after the boys remained untraceable and their clothes were found on the riverbank.
