Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, April 24: Three young men drowned in an abandoned stone crusher quarry pond in Guda village, Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, after they jumped into the water to save a drowning friend. The tragedy, which occurred around midday on April 24, has left one body recovered and two still missing as State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams continue overnight search operations. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

How the Tragedy Unfolded

According to officials from Baheria Police Station, four friends — Tanish Kori, Abhishek alias Addha, Tejram Patel, and Ayush — had gone to the quarry pond to bathe during the afternoon. The quarry, a water-filled pit left behind by stone crushing operations, is deceptively deep and poses severe hazards.

Eyewitness Shiva Valmiki recounted that Tanish Kori began struggling in the water and started to drown. His companions Abhishek and Tejram Patel immediately jumped in to rescue him. However, all three were quickly overwhelmed by the depth and current of the water and disappeared beneath the surface.

The fourth friend, Ayush, also attempted to dive in to help but was pulled back to safety by bystanders before he could be dragged under. By the time emergency services were alerted, the three youths had already submerged.

Search and Rescue Operations

Police teams from Baheria Police Station rushed to the site immediately after receiving the distress call. The SDRF was swiftly deployed to conduct an underwater search operation in the quarry pond.

By late night on April 24, the body of Abhishek had been recovered from the water. Search operations for the remaining two victims — Tanish Kori and Tejram Patel — were continuing into the night, with rescue personnel working under floodlights.

The depth and murky conditions of abandoned quarry ponds make such operations particularly challenging, often stretching over multiple days before all victims are located.

Government Response and Ex-Gratia Announcement

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed profound grief over the incident, calling it a heartbreaking tragedy. In an official statement, he extended his condolences to the families of the three youths and announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each for the bereaved households.

The Chief Minister also directed the district administration to ensure that the families receive immediate support and all necessary assistance. He prayed for the strength of the grieving families to endure their devastating loss.

Local MLA Pradeep Laria visited the incident site to assess the situation firsthand and personally assured the affected families of all possible government support during this difficult time.

The Dangerous Reality of Abandoned Quarry Ponds

This incident throws a sharp spotlight on the growing menace of unguarded abandoned quarry ponds across rural Madhya Pradesh and India. These water-filled pits, left behind after mining or stone crushing operations, often have no safety fencing, warning signage, or lifeguard presence.

During the scorching summer months, when temperatures in Sagar district routinely cross 40°C, such ponds become informal bathing spots for local youth — unaware of the lethal depths lurking beneath the surface. Notably, this is not an isolated incident; similar drowning tragedies at abandoned quarry sites have been reported across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand in recent summers.

Critics and safety experts have long argued that state governments must enforce stricter regulations requiring quarry operators to either properly fill abandoned pits or install robust safety barriers before abandoning sites. The absence of such enforcement continues to cost young lives every summer season.

Community in Mourning

The village of Guda in Sagar district is gripped by grief as families await the recovery of the remaining two bodies. The community has rallied around the bereaved families, even as rescue teams press on with their search.

As SDRF operations continue, authorities are expected to intensify the search at dawn with additional divers and equipment. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for state-level policy action to secure abandoned quarry sites and prevent further loss of young lives across Madhya Pradesh.