India News : A tragic incident unfolded during Durga idol immersion in Agra’s Khairagarh area, where a group of devotees from Kusiyapura village was swept away by the strong current of the Utangan River near Dungarwala village.
According to local reports, around a dozen people entered the river to immerse the idol when they were caught in the swift current. Rescue operations led by police and PAC divers managed to recover three bodies, while one person was rescued alive. Search operations are underway to locate the remaining eight missing individuals.
The deceased have been identified as:
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Ompal (25), son of Ramesh Chandra
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Gagan (24), son of Yadav Singh
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Moola (20), son of Ramnivas
Another youth, Vishnu (20), son of Ramu, was rescued in critical condition and is receiving treatment at SN Medical College.
The group of devotees also included other missing individuals, aged between 16 and 22, from the same village. Villagers reported that the incident occurred due to the strong undercurrent as the group ventured deep into the river.
Following the incident, locals and relatives of the missing blocked traffic at the Utgiri crossing around 6:30 PM, demanding immediate search and rescue. The blockade was lifted after PAC divers arrived at the scene around 8:15 PM.
As of now, senior officials including the MLA of Khairagarh, Bhaghwan Kushwaha, Chairman Sudhir Garg, Police Commissioner, Additional Police Commissioner, District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari, DCP West Agra, and ACP Khairagarh remained present at the site to oversee rescue efforts.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident and has directed officials to provide all necessary assistance to the families of the victims. The district administration announced ₹4 lakh ex-gratia compensation for each of the deceased.
Rescue operations by the police and divers are ongoing.
