How did four youth drown in the Bebas River?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four young men drowned in the Bebas River during a picnic.
- Three bodies have been recovered; search for the fourth continues.
- The incident highlights the dangers of swimming in rivers during the monsoon.
- Authorities emphasize safety around water bodies during this season.
- Community support is vital in times of tragedy.
Sagar, Aug 9 (NationPress) In a heart-wrenching event on the eve of Raksha Bandhan, four young men tragically lost their lives in the Bebas River close to Richhawar village under the jurisdiction of Sanodha police station in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district.
As of Saturday morning, the bodies of three individuals have been retrieved, while efforts to locate the fourth continue.
According to Sanodha police station in-charge Bharat Singh Thakur, the incident unfolded late Friday evening when five friends from Khushipura and Richhawar villages decided to have a picnic by the river.
During their swim, one friend ventured into deeper waters and started to drown. In a courageous but tragic move to rescue him, three others jumped in, only to be swept away by the river's powerful currents.
The fifth friend, who stayed ashore, had cautioned them against entering the water. However, Thakur suggested they might have been under the influence, as an empty bottle and plastic cups were discovered near their discarded clothing.
The deceased have been identified as Raj Ahirwar and Sumit Ahirwar from Khushipura, and Nikhil Ahirwar from Richhawar. Sunny Ahirwar, also from Richhawar, is still unaccounted for.
All victims were between 21 and 23 years old and belonged to the Ahirwar community.
The friend who remained on land promptly informed authorities and the families of the victims.
Local law enforcement, in collaboration with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and expert divers, initiated a rescue operation immediately. However, efforts were complicated by darkness, depth, and flow of the river.
Early Saturday morning, the bodies of two victims were recovered, leaving the community in deep sorrow. The incident has overshadowed the festive atmosphere in the area. Local officials and community leaders visited the site to extend their support to the grieving families.
This serves as a tragic reminder of the hazards associated with swollen rivers during the monsoon season. Authorities have urged the public to avoid water bodies during this period,' Thakur remarked.
The administration is actively overseeing the rescue operations, with local residents joining forces with officials in the search.