Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Dhanbad, Nov 6: Four of six youths who went missing while bathing in the Damodar river near Telmocho Bridge on the Dhanbad-Bokaro highway have been recovered, while a search continues for the remaining two, officials said Thursday.

One of the deceased has been identified as Vijay Yadav, a resident of Bhuli A-Block. Local divers, aided by villagers, are actively searching for the missing youths.

The incident occurred on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, when two groups of youths visited the river for a holy dip. In the first group from Bhimkanali, five entered the river around 11 a.m.; three were rescued by villagers, but Sumit Rai (17) and Sunny Chauhan (21) remain missing.

The second group, from Bhuli A-Block, saw five youths visiting the riverbank. Four of them—Vijay Yadav, Rohit alias Chhotu, Rohan alias Golu, and Anish—entered the river while Priyanshu stayed on the bank. When the four did not return, Priyanshu alerted their families.

The delay in locating the bodies sparked tension, leading locals and relatives to block the Dhanbad-Bokaro highway, demanding stronger rescue measures. Police and civil officials intervened to clear the blockade.

Locals blamed illegal sand mining in the Damodar river for changing its depth and flow, increasing the risk of such tragedies, and urged authorities to take preventive action.

Baghmara Block Development Officer Girjanand Kisku confirmed six youths from Bhimkanali and Bhuli had drowned due to the river’s swift current. He added that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team had not yet arrived, and search operations would be intensified once they do.