Lucknow, September 23 (TNA) Three men went missing in the Sai River near the Jabrella Bridge in Mohanlalganj during Ganesh idol immersion on Tuesday evening. Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a search operation after receiving information about the incident.
The three men were identified as Dheeraj, 35, Hariprasad, 40, and Pramod, 22. They had travelled from Sisendi village, around five kilometres away, to immerse a Ganesh idol in the river at around 5 p.m.
According to preliminary information, Dheeraj entered a deeper part of the river and began struggling in the water. Hariprasad entered the river in an attempt to rescue him, but he also began drowning. Pramod then went into the river to help them. All three were subsequently swept away and could not be located.
The incident triggered panic among the devotees and local residents, who gathered at the spot. Mohanlalganj police reached the site and began a search with the help of divers. An SDRF team later joined the operation and continued searching the river.
Family members of the missing men also reached the riverbank. Relatives alleged that the SDRF team was searching only in one area, raising fears that the men might not be found in time. Reports said that the wives of two of the missing men are pregnant.
According to local reports, the three men worked together as painters and had participated in the Ganesh immersion procession. Police officials said they initially received information that two people had drowned, but later learnt that Pramod had also entered the river while attempting to rescue them.
The search operation was continuing, and further details regarding the missing men had not been released. Authorities have urged people to exercise caution while entering rivers during idol immersion, particularly in areas with strong currents and deep water.