Dumka, September 6: Two 16-year-old school students drowned while bathing at a check dam on the Dhobai River in Hathgarh under Hansdiha police station in Dumka district on Sunday. One of the teenagers reportedly entered the water to rescue his friend but also got caught in the deep water and strong current.
The deceased have been identified as Raman Mandal, 16, and Umesh Kumar, 16.
According to the information available, the two students had gone to the check dam with a group of friends. Umesh reportedly entered the water while attempting to make a social media reel. He was caught in the current and began struggling in the water.
When Umesh did not return to the surface for some time, Raman reportedly jumped into the water to rescue him. However, he too was swept into deeper water and the strong current, and both teenagers drowned.
Four-hour search operation
After receiving information about the incident, local residents reached the spot and alerted the police.
Circle Officer Rahul Kumar Shanu and Hansdiha police station in-charge Ajit Kumar Yadav, along with police personnel, reached the check dam and launched a search operation with the help of local swimmers and villagers.
After nearly four hours of searching, rescuers recovered the bodies of both students from the check dam.
Families left devastated
The news of the deaths triggered grief across the area. The victims’ family members also reached the spot after being informed about the incident.
The families were left devastated after seeing the bodies of the teenagers.
Police took both bodies into custody and sent them for post-mortem examination. Further legal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the incident.
