In a tragic incident, eight young men from Vasna Sogathi village in the Dehgam tehsil of Gujarat lost their lives in a drowning accident at the Meshwo River on the day of Ganesh Visarjan. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Gandhinagar, DT Gohil, confirmed the unfortunate incident and provided details of the ongoing rescue operations.

Deputy SP DT Gohil stated, “There is Vasna Sogathi village in the Dehgam tehsil. Nine youths from the village came to the dam on the Meshwo River at noon. They were bathing here when an idol of Lord Ganesh came for Visarjan. Out of those nine people, one was drowning while bathing. So, other people also came to save him.”

Accident During Ganesh Visarjan

The incident occurred when a group of nine youths from Vasna Sogathi village decided to visit the Meshwo River dam to take a bath. As they were enjoying their time in the water, an idol of Lord Ganesh arrived at the river for the Visarjan ceremony. During the ceremony, one of the youths began to drown. In a desperate attempt to save their friend, the other members of the group rushed into the deeper waters, resulting in a tragic chain of events that led to the drowning of eight out of the nine young men.

“Till now, we have recovered eight bodies from here. An eyewitness has said that only eight people drowned. So accordingly, we have recovered all the bodies,” said Deputy SP Gohil, highlighting the efforts of the local police and rescue teams in recovering the victims from the river.

Rescue Operations by SDRF and NDRF Continue

Despite the recovery of all eight bodies, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) remain deployed at the site to ensure that there are no additional casualties. The Deputy SP stated, “Still, the teams of SDRF and NDRF are deployed here to ensure that anyone else is not missing in this area.”

Rescue teams have been working tirelessly since the incident was reported, scouring the river and its surroundings to make certain that no one else is still missing. The deployment of specialized rescue forces underlines the seriousness of the incident and the authorities’ commitment to ensuring no further loss of life.

Community Shocked by the Tragedy

The incident has left the local community in shock and mourning. The Ganesh Visarjan, which is usually a joyous and sacred event, turned into a day of sorrow and loss for the villagers of Vasna Sogathi. Local authorities have extended their condolences to the families of the victims and have assured them of all necessary support during this difficult time.

Deputy SP Gohil also urged the public to exercise caution while participating in religious ceremonies near water bodies, especially during the monsoon season when water levels can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Authorities Call for Caution

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with open water activities, particularly during festivals. Authorities have called on people to remain vigilant and prioritize safety to prevent such tragedies in the future. The local administration is likely to review safety measures at religious and public events involving water bodies to avoid similar occurrences.

The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue operations are underway to ensure no one is left unaccounted for. The government is also expected to announce compensation for the victims’ families and may initiate further safety guidelines for future events.