A heartbreaking incident has unfolded in the outer fringes of the national capital, where four teenage boys were swept away by the raging currents of the Yamuna river near Hirenki village in Alipur. The tragic event occurred near Thokar number 24, leaving the local community in a state of profound shock and grief. Following the incident, a massive joint search and rescue operation was launched by multiple emergency services, including the fire department and the NDRF. While the rescue teams have successfully retrieved the bodies of two of the missing boys, the search continues for the other two minors. Sunday's rescue efforts were temporarily suspended late in the evening around 10:30 PM due to low visibility and pitch-dark conditions, with operations scheduled to resume with full force on Monday.
How the Fateful Incident Occurred
The tragedy began on Sunday when a group of five boys, all aged between 14 and 15 years, left their homes to play in the neighborhood. As they wandered around, they eventually made their way to the banks of the Yamuna river. Finding their clothes heavily soiled with mud from playing, the youngsters decided to step into the river to wash up and bathe at around 6:00 PM. However, they were unaware of the treacherous undercurrents and the high volume of water flowing through the river at that time. Within just two to three minutes of entering the water, four of the boys were overpowered by the strong current and swept downstream.
The fifth boy, who had stayed back on the bank, witnessed his friends drowning and began screaming desperately for assistance. Hearing his frantic cries, nearby residents rushed to the spot in a bid to rescue the drowning children. Tragically, by the time the locals reached the river bank, the four boys had already disappeared beneath the deep water. The police were subsequently alerted about the emergency through a PCR call received at approximately 7:46 PM. Upon receiving the distress signal, emergency response teams, including the fire department, NDRF, and other local rescue units, immediately converged on the site to initiate a coordinated search operation.
Second Tragedy in the Locality Within Two Days
This devastating incident has amplified the anxiety of the local population, as residents point out that this is the second consecutive day of such a mishap in the area. Just a day prior to this incident, two other children had lost their lives after drowning in the same vicinity. The back-to-back tragedies within a span of 48 hours have cast a dark shadow over the entire village, with families demanding better safety measures and warning signs near the riverbanks to prevent youngsters from entering the dangerous waters.
Police Priority and Onward Investigation
Local police authorities have emphasized that their immediate and absolute focus is on locating the two remaining missing children. Official statements indicate that search parties are utilising all available resources to trace the missing boys. The police have also stated that formal legal proceedings and a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the incident will be conducted once the remaining bodies are recovered and the rescue operation is officially concluded. For now, multiple administrative and law enforcement teams remain stationed at the site, coordinating the ongoing recovery mission.
