Patna, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A woman and her four children are feared to have drowned in a pond in East Champaran district of Bihar, triggering panic among residents of the area, police said on Friday.
The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Govindganj police station in the Areraj subdivision, where a large number of villagers gathered after the tragedy came to light.
Police and civil administration officials reached the spot and launched a rescue and investigation operation. With the help of local residents, four bodies, including that of the woman, were recovered from the pond, while efforts are continuing to trace the fifth victim.
According to villagers, the deceased include the woman, her two sons and two daughters. However, police said the exact number of casualties and identities of all victims would be confirmed only after the completion of the recovery operation and official verification.
The woman has been identified as Sushila Devi, wife of Dharmendra Mahto, and a resident of Ward No. 6 of Babhnauli Panchayat.
The incident has left the family devastated, with grief spreading across the village. The circumstances leading to the drowning are yet to be ascertained.
While some villagers suspect a possible family dispute behind the incident, others believe the woman and her children may have accidentally fallen into the pond while she had gone to collect fodder for livestock.
Police officials said all possible angles are being examined and no conclusion has been drawn at this stage.
Following the incident, the Areraj Circle Officer and officials from Govindganj police station reached the site. The recovered bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and legal procedures are underway.
Search operations for the missing victim are continuing with the assistance of divers and local residents.
Police said the actual cause of the incident would become clear only after completion of the investigation, examination of evidence, and recording of statements from family members and witnesses.
The administration has appealed to people to avoid spreading rumours and rely only on verified information while the probe continues.
FOLLOW NOW
