Sidhi, June 15 (IANS) Three women and a man were swept away by strong currents while bathing in the Son River at Bhanvarsen Ghat in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district, the police said on Monday.

The body of one of the women was recovered during a rescue operation, while efforts were underway to trace the remaining three persons, officials said.

The incident occurred between 12.30 p.m. and 1 p.m. in the Rampur Naikin police station area when the four entered the river for bathing.

According to information, they were swept away after being caught in deep water and strong currents, triggering panic among people present at the ghat.

Soon after receiving information, teams from Rampur Naikin police station, Khaddi outpost and the local administration reached the spot and launched a search and rescue operation.

Local residents also joined the efforts to locate the missing persons.

During the operation, the body of a young woman was recovered from the river nearly half a kilometre downstream from the spot where the victims had disappeared.

“The deceased has been identified as Jyoti Sen (24), a resident of Budha Baur village under Ramnagar police station in Maihar district. Her family has been informed,” Tehsildar Ashish Mishra said.

The three persons who remained missing till late evening were identified as Subhi Sen (15), Neelu Bais (22) and Lakhan Kewat (26).

According to Mishra, rescue teams were requisitioned immediately after the incident and search operations were continuing to trace the missing persons.

“Every possible effort is being made to locate them. The rescue operation is being carried out under the supervision of the administration,” he said.

Officials suspect that the victims may have been trapped in a deep whirlpool.

“This stretch of the Son River is known for strong currents and deep eddies. Prima facie, it appears they were dragged into deeper waters and could not be rescued in time,” Mishra said.

Police officials said the circumstances under which the four reached Bhanvarsen Ghat and entered the river were being ascertained.

The rescue operation continued till late evening, with police and administration officials maintaining a presence at the site as search teams combed the river for the three missing persons.

–IANS

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