Two 14-year-old boys were reported missing after being swept into a deep section of the Burhi Gandak river while bathing at Bhurkurwa Ghat in Muzaffarpur district on Monday morning, The Times of India reported. A search-and-rescue operation by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), assisted by local divers and police, was under way but the teenagers had not been found by the time of filing.
Local details and immediate response
The missing youths have been identified as Annu Kumar alias Kallu (14), son of Dinesh Bhagat, and Ujjwal Kumar (14), son of Manohar Bhagat. Both are residents of Bathna village under ward number 10, according to the report. Locals said the two friends reached Bhurkurwa Ghat on a motorcycle at about 10.00am and went to bathe without informing their families.
Witnesses said the boys entered the river but underestimated its depth. While bathing, they reportedly slipped and were carried into a deeper channel by the current. Passers-by attempted to pull them out, but strong flow and depth hampered rescue attempts and the teenagers disappeared from view.
Motipur SHO Sanjeev Kumar and a police team reached the ghat after being alerted and coordinated the rescue effort. An SDRF unit joined the operation with a motorboat and search equipment. Local divers were also engaged to comb the river.
"The police team immediately arrived at the spot after receiving information about the incident. The SDRF team was conducting a search operation in the river, while local divers were also being used to cover the area,"
Search measures and community concerns
Rescue teams continued systematic searches along likely downstream stretches and in deep pools where victims of sudden slips often collect. Authorities said visibility and the river's current complicated diving efforts. No official confirmation had been issued on recovery by the time the report was filed.
Residents at the ghat expressed concern over safety measures at popular bathing spots. Bhurkurwa Ghat, like many stretches along the Burhi Gandak within Muzaffarpur district, is used frequently by children and youth during daytime hours, particularly when temperatures rise. Locals said there were no warning signs or permanent lifesaving arrangements at the site.
- Victims: Annu Kumar (alias Kallu), 14; Ujjwal Kumar, 14
- Location: Bhurkurwa Ghat, Burhi Gandak, Muzaffarpur district
- Responding agencies: Motipur police, SDRF, local divers
- Time reported: Around 10.00am on Monday
Wider implications for river safety in Muzaffarpur
The incident highlights persistent safety risks at river ghats in and around Muzaffarpur. Seasonal fluctuations in flow and hidden deeper channels can make apparently shallow stretches hazardous, especially to inexperienced bathers. Community members and local officials face pressure to consider basic preventive measures such as visible signage, community lifeguard training, rope-and-buoy installations and periodic inspections of popular bathing spots.
Police at Motipur are maintaining the on-site presence while the SDRF continues diving and motorboat searches. No confirmation of recovery or further updates on the operation were available in the original report.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Names | Annu Kumar (alias Kallu), 14; Ujjwal Kumar, 14 |
| Village | Bathna (ward no. 10) |
| Responders | Motipur police, SDRF, local divers |
| Time | Around 10.00am, Monday |
Reporting on river accidents remains essential for local authorities to prioritise preventive measures. Families and community leaders in Bathna and neighbouring wards have been urged to co-operate with ongoing searches and to alert police immediately if they have any information. The Times of India provided the initial report on the incident.
