NEW DELHI: Four minors are feared drowned after they were allegedly swept away by the strong current of the Yamuna while bathing near Hiranki village in outer north Delhi’s Alipur area, with a multi-agency search operation entering its second day on Monday, an official said.
Police said Alipur police station received a PCR call around 7.30 pm on Sunday. Preliminary investigation revealed that five minor boys had gone to Yamuna Ghat near Thokar No. 24 for bathing, official said.
While four of the boys entered the river, they were swept away by the strong current. The fifth boy, Lucky, remained on the riverbank and raised an alarm. Local residents working in nearby fields rushed to the spot and attempted to rescue the children, but by then all four had disappeared in the river, a senior police officer said.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Delhi Fire Services and the concerned sub-divisional magistrate have joined the search operation. Police said efforts are underway to trace the missing boys, while inquest proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will be initiated.
Lucky said the group had reached the river around 5 pm. “We were washing our hands and feet when Saurav decided to take a bath. Rahul, Amandeep and Anshu followed him. I warned them not to enter the river because the current was strong. They were holding each other’s hands when the current swept them away. I started shouting for help,” he said.
Fifth boy raises alarm
While four of the boys entered the river, they were swept away by the strong current. The fifth boy, Lucky, remained on the riverbank and raised an alarm.
