According to villagers, while carrying the idol into the water, a young man suddenly slipped. While trying to rescue him, other young men and teenagers also drowned in the deep water.
उप्र: आगरा में दुर्गा प्रतिमा विसर्जन के दौरान उटंगन नदी में डूबकर 13 युवकों की मौत
A major accident occurred during the immersion of the Goddess Durga idol in the Uttang River in Kheragarh, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. Thirteen young men and teenagers from the village of Kusiyapur Dugarwala drowned in the deep waters. With the help of villagers, one young man, Vishnu, was rescued, while three bodies were recovered late at night. Nine young men, including five minors, are still missing. This tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over the entire area.
When did the accident happen?
On Thursday afternoon, around 1 p.m., 40-50 people from the village of Kusiyapur had reached the Uttang River to immerse the Goddess Durga idol. A 4-foot-tall idol had been installed at the Chamad Mata Temple during Navratri and was to be immersed on Dussehra. Eleven to 15 young men and teenagers entered the river for the immersion.
According to villagers, while carrying the idol into the water, one young man suddenly slipped. While trying to save him, other young men and teenagers also drowned. All of them were holding hands and clutching the statue, but due to lack of knowledge about the depth and depth of the pit, they could not escape.
Rescue Operation
Villagers, showing courage, pulled out a young man, Vishnu (20), alive. He is in critical condition and has been referred to SN Medical College, Agra.
With the help of police and divers, the bodies of Ompal (25) and Gagan (24) were recovered.
- The body of Manoj (a teenager) was also recovered late at night.
- The SDRF and local divers are searching for the nine young men.
- Eyewitnesses say that adequate security arrangements were not in place at the time of the incident. Police arrived at the scene about half an hour after receiving information about the accident. Villagers, expressing their displeasure over the SDRF team’s late arrival, also blocked the road, which was cleared after two hours.
Administrative Presence and Investigation
District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari and DCP Western Zone Atul Sharma arrived at the scene as soon as they learned of the accident. Police officials say they were on duty at the idol immersion site, but the accident occurred in the middle of the river, some distance away from the immersion site.
Villagers’ Anger
Villagers allege that if police and rescue teams had been present on time, such a major tragedy could have been avoided.
Current Situation
- Three bodies have been recovered so far.
- Nine young men and teenagers are missing, and the search for them continues.An atmosphere of mourning has gripped the village and surrounding areas.
- The administration has assured to expedite rescue operations.
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