Patna, June 24: A tragic incident unfolded in Bihar’s Munger district on Wednesday morning when five girls were reportedly swept away by strong currents while bathing in the Ganga River at Bakchapra Ganga Ghat, under the jurisdiction of the Vasudevpur police station.
The victims have been identified as Sangeeta Kumari, Binita Kumari, Sandhya Kumari, Sonam Kumari, and Hina Kumari. According to officials, four of the girls were siblings, while the fifth was their cousin. The group had visited the ghat to take a ritual bath and collect holy water when the accident occurred.
Witnesses said the girls entered the river together but were soon dragged into deeper waters by the powerful current. Local residents attempted to rescue them, but their efforts were unsuccessful due to the river’s strong flow.
Family members stated that the girls were students studying at various academic levels, ranging from school classes to Intermediate education.
Upon receiving information about the incident, teams from the Vasudevpur police station rushed to the scene and initiated rescue operations. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with local divers, were deployed to search for the missing girls.
During the operation, rescuers recovered the body of Sangeeta Kumari, while the remaining four girls are still unaccounted for. Search efforts are continuing with the help of boats and diving teams.
The incident has drawn large crowds to the riverbank, creating an atmosphere of grief and anxiety as families await news of their loved ones.
Residents have noted that the Ganga’s water level has risen due to seasonal factors, resulting in stronger currents and increasing the danger at bathing ghats. Such conditions significantly raise the risk of drowning, particularly in areas with sudden drops in depth.
Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid venturing into deep waters and to ensure close supervision of children and teenagers near rivers and ghats. Officials said search operations will continue until all the missing girls are located.
