Multiple drownings in Jhansi district as police recover eight bodies
Jhansi district recorded two separate fatal incidents of drowning on Tuesday, in which a total of eight people lost their lives, police said. The deaths occurred in the Babina police station area and the Mauranipur area, the latter involving members of a single family who entered the river during a religious ritual.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vikash Kumar told news agencies the bodies of three youths aged between 20 and 27 were recovered in the Babina police station area. Their motorcycles, mobile phones and clothes were found on the riverbank, and the initial assessment indicated they had entered the water and drowned.
In Mauranipur, police said five people — four members of the same family and a relative — went to the Sukhnai river for a shraddh ceremony and to perform rituals. A 12-year-old boy who went into the river reportedly moved into deeper water and began to drown. Others entered the river to rescue him and were swept away by a sudden drop-off and strong current, Mauranipur Circle Officer Ratnesh Kumar Singh said.
“Five people drowned in the incident while other members of the family managed to come out safely,” Circle Officer Ratnesh Kumar Singh said. All recovered bodies have been sent for post-mortem and an investigation is underway.
- Babina area: three male youths, aged 20–27, bodies recovered; possessions found on the bank.
- Mauranipur area: five people from one extended family, including a 12-year-old boy, drowned after entering the Sukhnai river during a shraddh ceremony.
- Action taken: all eight bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem; police said legal action is being taken in both cases.
The names and ages of the five deceased in Mauranipur were provided by the Circle Officer. They were identified as Anoop Tiwari (40), Arpit (12), Abhinav (24), Shreyansh alias Kallu (22) and Chhote alias Pushkar (25). The Babina victims were not named in initial reports; SSP Vikash Kumar said they were between 20 and 27 years old.
| Location | Number of deceased | Known details |
|---|---|---|
| Babina | 3 | Youths aged 20–27; motorcycles, phones and clothes found on bank; prima facie accident |
| Mauranipur (Sukhnai river) | 5 | Four family members and one relative; included a 12-year-old boy; occurred during shraddh ceremony |
Police teams reached both locations and recovered the bodies, which were forwarded for post-mortem examinations. SSP Vikash Kumar said investigators were treating both incidents as accidents at present and were conducting probe and legal formalities following standard procedures.
Local authorities have not, as yet, issued specific advisories linking the incidents to broader flood or weather conditions in the district. Separately, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was reported to have ordered evacuations in Kushinagar earlier the day over flooding concerns after a breach in an embankment; that order relates to a separate district and is not connected to the Jhansi drownings, SSP Kumar noted.
The twin tragedies underscore recurring risks at riverbanks during the monsoon and festival seasons in the region, when families visit rivers for rituals and recreation. Police urged residents to exercise caution near water bodies and appealed that people avoid entering rivers where the depth and current are uncertain.
Investigation teams in both police station areas will finalise post-mortem reports and complete legal documentation before any further statements on causes or culpability are issued.
