Bhopal/Dhar, May 25 (IANS) Two of four friends who went for a swim in the Narmada River drowned in deep waters, while the other two were safely rescued in Semalda village, within the Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh.

The missing youths were residents of Kotputli, Rajasthan, and were employed at a cement company.

The police, divers, and local boatmen continued rescue operations until late in the evening.

According to police officials, Pooran (son of Phoolchand Yadav, 40) and Dinesh (son of Devkaran Yadav, 34) remain missing, while Manoj Yadav and Naveen Yogi were successfully rescued. The tragedy occurred on Sunday evening.

A joint team of the police and the administration is currently conducting a rescue operation to search for the two missing youths.

According to police officials, all four friends are employed at a cement company located in the village of Tonki, near Manawar, and are originally natives of Kotputli, Rajasthan. As Sunday was a holiday, they travelled from Manawar to the village of Semalda to visit and bathe in the Narmada River.

Around 5:00 p.m., the four youths entered the river to swim; however, while bathing, they drifted into waters approximately 15 to 20 feet deep and began to drown.

Naveen Yogi, one of the survivors of the incident, said that the two missing youths held positions as Site In-charges at the company.

Upon seeing the youths drowning, local villagers and boatmen present along the riverbank immediately sprang into action and initiated rescue efforts.

Acting with presence of mind, they safely pulled Manoj Yadav and Naveen Yogi out of the water; however, they could find no trace of Pooran and Dinesh. Upon receiving news of the incident, the Manawar police and administrative teams immediately rushed to the scene.

As of around 7:30 p.m., teams of divers and villagers were continuing their efforts to search for the missing youths in the deep waters using boats.

A large crowd of villagers and employees from the cement company has gathered at the boat ghat. A search operation is being conducted by the administration.

–IANS

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