Patna, April 22 (IANS) A major tragedy struck in Sonpur, in Saran district of Bihar, on Wednesday during a Chauthari Pujan ceremony, leaving two women dead and two children missing.​

The incident occurred near Jadbharat Sthan in Baijalpur village, where family members had gathered following a wedding to perform post-marriage rituals.​

According to an official, while bathing in the Gandak River, four individuals were caught in deep waters and strong currents, leading to their drowning.​

The deceased have been identified as Babita Devi, the bride’s mother, and her relative Gudiya Devi.​

Both women were pulled out of the river by local villagers and fishermen, who immediately launched a rescue effort.​

Officials, including local civil administration and police personnel, reached the spot soon after receiving information about the mishap.​

The victims were initially taken to Sonpur Sub-Divisional Hospital and later referred to Hajipur Sadar Hospital, where doctors confirmed the deaths.

​Two children—Rishu Kumar (12) and Richa Kumari (15)—are still missing.​

Search operations are ongoing with teams from the SDRF and local administration actively combing the river.​

The tragedy unfolded during the Chauthari Pujan, a ritual performed a few days after a wedding.​

The family had gathered at the riverbank as part of the ceremony following the marriage of Janardan Singh’s daughter, which was held on Monday.​

The district police sent the dead bodies for the postmortem.​

The incident has cast a deep shadow of grief over the entire village, with families of the victims devastated by the sudden loss.​

Authorities have intensified search efforts to locate the missing children, while urging people to exercise caution near rivers, especially during rituals involving bathing in deep waters.​

Earlier, on March 11, a tragic incident was reported from Bhagalpur in Bihar, where three young men drowned while trying to save their aunt during a bath in the Ganges River.​

The incident occurred at Dhodha Ghat and has left the entire area in shock.

–IANS

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