SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 28: Five girls drowned while bathing in the Damodar river for Karma Puja at Bhowrah under Sudamdih police station area, about 21 km from the district headquarters, on Thursday morning, officials said.
Police confirmed that the body of one girl, Rukmani Kumari, had been recovered, while another, Sandhya Kumari, remains missing.
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Sudamdih police station in-charge Rahul Kumar Singh said the incident occurred around 9 am. The girls had entered the river for ritual bathing when they were swept away by the strong current.
Local fishermen immediately rushed to their aid and managed to rescue three of them. However, two girls were carried away by the flow.
About an hour later, Rukmani Kumari was found near the Mohalbani burning ghat and taken to a local health centre, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
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Police said the search for Sandhya Kumari is still underway. Strong currents and overflowing water are hampering rescue efforts, making it difficult for fishermen to trace the missing girl.
