Six Orphanage Boys Die During Ganesh Idol Immersion in Telangana

Six boys from Sirisha Orphanage, located in Indresham municipality, tragically drowned during the immersion of a Ganesh idol at Neredu pond in Pedda Kanjerla village, Patancheru mandal, on Wednesday evening. The incident happened at approximately 5.30 pm when boys accompanied by local volunteers transported the idol for immersion.

According to local police, while placing the idol near the water’s edge, six boys accidentally slipped into the pond, which is reported to be 12 feet deep. In a desperate attempt to rescue their friends, two boys also lost their footing and drowned.

Authorities were alerted immediately after the incident, prompting a rescue operation involving local police, Disaster Response Force (DRF), Fire and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, complemented by local lifesavers. A total of seven boats were deployed in the recovery effort, which lasted around two hours before the bodies were retrieved.

The six victims included four minors and two youths aged 22. Initial reports indicate that those who drowned were not proficient swimmers. The victims hailed from various regions, including Kukatpally, Kurnool, Warangal, Mahbubnagar, and other areas in Andhra Pradesh. Police confirmed that the families of the deceased had been notified, and arrangements were made for the bodies to be transferred to the mortuary in Patancheru government hospital.

Relatives of the victims expressed deep sorrow upon arrival at the scene. One individual, P. Govind, lamented the loss of his 17-year-old nephew, P. Siddarth, noting that this was the first time he had participated in the immersion process. “I still can’t believe he is no more,” Govind stated.

In response to the incident, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy conveyed his shock and expressed condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. He has instructed local authorities to implement enhanced safety protocols at immersion sites to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also expressed grief over the drowning incident. He described the loss of young lives as heart-wrenching and emphasised the need for immediate actions at immersion sites to prevent additional tragedies. Following the news, he contacted local officials to assess the situation and evaluate the rescue efforts.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla shared his condolences with the bereaved families and urged all involved in the immersion rituals to adhere to safety guidelines, particularly concerning the supervision of children near deep water. Shukla stressed the importance of implementing safety measures, which include proper lighting, monitoring, barricading, and emergency preparedness at all immersion locations across the state.

This unfortunate event highlights the urgent need for awareness and safety measures during public celebrations that involve water activities, particularly for youth and those unfamiliar with swimming.