Bhopal, April 6 (NationPress) In a heartbreaking event, three adolescent boys tragically lost their lives in a dam located in Ashoknagar district on Monday afternoon while they were enjoying a bath. The victims, all minors and close companions from the same village, succumbed after venturing into deeper waters.The deceased have been identified as Mayank (16), son of Avdhesh Raghuvanshi; Dev (16), son of Rakesh Raghuvanshi; and Om (15), son of Satish Raghuvanshi. All three hailed from Ajleshwar village under the jurisdiction of the Nai Sarai police station.

As per police reports and eyewitness accounts, a group of six boys from the village had frequently visited the nearby dam during summer afternoons for recreation.

Initially bathing in the shallow section, the three boys gradually progressed into deeper waters. Unfortunately, none of them had swimming skills. They lost their footing as the depth increased and began to drown.

According to investigation officer Manish Gurjar, their friends attempted to assist but were overwhelmed by the depth and exited the water. The unfortunate incident occurred between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Monday.

In a state of panic, the surviving boys hurried back to their village to inform their families. Within moments, numerous villagers gathered at the site to search for the boys.

However, the deep water and lack of adequate equipment hindered their rescue attempts. The Nai Sarai police were contacted promptly.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was summoned. The SDRF divers arrived swiftly and initiated a rescue operation.

After an extensive and challenging search, the bodies of all three adolescents were recovered from the dam.

The entire Ajleshwar village is engulfed in profound sorrow. The families of the deceased are inconsolable, with cries of anguish resonating throughout the village.

Relatives and neighbors have gathered in large numbers to support the grieving families. The bodies have been dispatched to the hospital for post-mortem examinations.

The police have opened a case and commenced an investigation.

Preliminary reports indicate that the boys succumbed due to drowning. This tragic occurrence underscores the hazards linked to unfenced and unmonitored water bodies in rural regions, especially during summer when children often frequent dams and ponds for leisure.

Local residents have urged the authorities to implement safety measures and install awareness signage around such water bodies to avert similar incidents in the future.