A Ganesh Visarjan turned plightful as at least 10 people were suspected to have drowned in Gandhinagar’s Vasna Sogthi village near Dahegam today.
So far, eight dead bodies have been recovered, while the search for two others is ongoing. The incident took place during the Ganesh Visarjan procession at the time of immersing the Ganesh idols in the check dam built on the Meswo river.
The deceased in this incident have been identified as:
Halusinh Solanki
Prakashsinh Chauhan
Dalpatsinh Dharmendra Chauhan
Dilipsinh Chauhan
Bachusinh Chauhan
Dalpatsinh Pruthvi Chauhan
Pravinsinh Chauhan
Bhalsinh Chauhan
A rescue operation is currently being carried out by locals in the area. Fire officials have also reached the spot to expedite operations.
Sources privy to the development suggested that revellers turned up at the riverbed for religious processions. Before this, two individuals went to the water body for a bath, who had drowned in the river. A group of individuals from the procession spotted the two drownings and plunged into the river to rescue them.
This led to their deaths by drowning, and their bodies were recovered thereafter.
An official added that despite warnings from the village panchayat and the establishment of a designated safe area for the immersion, a few enthusiastic youths ventured into the check dam.
The strong current quickly overwhelmed them, resulting in the tragedy.
Local MLA Balrajsinh Chauhan said that authorities had advised caution and set up a safe area for the ceremony.
However, some individuals ignored the warnings, leading to the incident.
Family of four drowns in Patan during Ganesh Visarjan
Another such Ganesh Visarjan celebrations turned tragic in Patan for a family of four that drowned in the Saraswati river on September 11.
Following the Ganesh Mahotsav festivities, a procession from the society to Saraswati river was organised to immerse the Ganesh idol in the river. As devotees carried the idol towards the riverbank, a group of eight people, including four family members, reportedly slipped and fell into the water.
The river’s water level had risen due to recent rainfall and increased water flow, making it difficult to navigate. Despite efforts by locals to rescue the victims, four persons from one family, identified as Sheetal, Daksh, Jimit, and Nayan Prajapati lost their lives.
Following this incident, authorities had urged the public to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines while participating in such events.