23 meet watery grave during Chhath festival in Bihar

Patna, Oct 27: At least 23 people drowned in different districts of Bihar during Chhath festival which ended today.

According to reports pouring in from various districts of the state, maximum number of four deaths were reported from Vaishali district followed by 3 each in Samastipur, Banka and Bhagalpur districts, two each in Saharsa, Saran and Begusarai districts and one each in Khagaria, Supaul, Madhepura and Muzaffarpur districts. According to a report from Hajipur, a 30 year old youth identified as Vikki Kumar drowned in Ganga river near Terasia village under Ganga Bridge police station area in Vaishali district.

A 15 year old boy identified as Ankit Kumar drowned in Baya river on Pushar bank under Mahua police station area, the report said. In another incident, a 12 year old boy identified as Kishan Kumar drowned in Baya river on Khesrahia bank under Patepur police station area. In yet another mishap, a 14 year old boy identified as Ankit Kumar drowned in the same river under Bhaganwapur police station area. The bodies have been sent for autopsy, police added.

According to a report from Samastipur, three people drowned in separate incidents in the district during Chhath festival. Police said that a 13 year old boy Ravi Kiran alias Gopi and his sister Kajal Kumari (9) drowned in a pond at Alampur village under Vibhutipur police station area in the district. Sources said that children were taking bath in the pond when they met their watery grave in it.

In another incident, a 15 year old girl identified as Pinki Kumari (15) drowned in Balan river near Kevata village under Dalsinghsarai police station area. Sources said that she was native of Chandchaur village under Ujiyarpur police station area. UNI