A devastating incident unfolded in Bihar's East Champaran district on Friday morning when four minor girls drowned while bathing in a village water body. The tragedy occurred near Bankat village within the Inrwabhar panchayat limits under the Paharpur police station jurisdiction, triggering widespread grief, panic, and mourning across the entire locality.
Five Children Reached the Water Body on Friday Morning
The mishap took place at around 9:30 AM on Friday when a group of five local girls walked to a pond situated near the outskirts of their village to take a bath. While four of them stepped into the water to bathe, one girl chose to stay back on the embankment. Unaware of the sudden depth of the pond bed, the four children gradually ventured into deep water and soon found themselves unable to stay afloat, eventually drowning beneath the surface.
Fifth Companion Raised Alarm to Summon Villagers
Upon witnessing her companions struggling in the water, the lone girl waiting on the bank immediately rushed back to the village settlement to seek emergency help. Paharpur Circle Officer Ramsurat Paswan explained that the girl stationed by the bank alerted the villagers without delay, prompting residents and local administrative personnel to quickly reach the spot. Local police officers along with revenue officials arrived at the pond shortly after receiving the alert to assist in recovering the victims.
Identity of the Deceased Children Confirmed
All four victims were native residents of Bankat village. Authorities confirmed their identities as 13-year-old Sonawati Kumari and her younger sister, 10-year-old Phulwati Kumari. The other two deceased minors were identified as 10-year-old Sonali Kumari and 12-year-old Pratibha Kumari. The sudden loss of four young lives from the same neighbourhood has left the community deeply shaken.
Bodies Sent to Motihari Sadar Hospital for Autopsy
Paharpur Station House Officer Devendra Kumar stated that authorities successfully retrieved the bodies of all four girls from the pond. After completing mandatory legal procedures and inquest formalities, the remains were dispatched to the Sadar Hospital in Motihari for post-mortem examinations. Circle Officer Ramsevak Paswan added that all requisite administrative proceedings and formalities related to the incident are being actively pursued.
Administrative Inquiry and Disaster Relief Compensation
Speaking on the official course of action, East Champaran District Magistrate Saurabh Suman stated that proper inquiries are underway. Once the official investigation conclusively confirms that the fatalities occurred strictly due to drowning, the Disaster Management Department will release the stipulated compensation to the next of kin of the deceased. Meanwhile, police officials are looking into all precise circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.
