Gujarat: Surat Tourists Drown in Narmada River at Poicha village

BHARUCH, GUJARAT : Eight tourists from Surat, including three children, visited the Nilkanth Dham Swaminarayan Temple located at Poicha village on the banks of the Narmada river. However, a blissful day turned into a nightmare when the group went for a swim in the river and were caught in strong currents.

Sources informed that the victims, originally hailing from Amreli district but residing at Sania-Hemad in Surat, were enjoying a day trip to the temple. The incident occurred while they were swimming in the Narmada river, after attending the Bhagvad Katha event in the temple. Witnessing the tourists struggling in the water, local swimmers and villagers sprang into action. They bravely jumped into the river and managed to rescue one person from drowning. However, the remaining seven tourists are still missing.

Those who are missing are identified as Bharatbhai Meghabhai Baldania, 45, Arnav Bharatbhai Baldania, 12, Maitriya Bharatbhai Baldania, 15, Vrajbhai Hintambhai Baldania, 11, seven-year-old Aryan Rajubhai Jhinjhala, Bhargava Ashokbhai Hadiya, 15, and Bhavesh Vallabhbhai Hadiya, 15.

Labhuben, who had come to take a bath with the family, explained, “We had conducted a Bhagavad Katha in the temple and had come here to have a bath in the Narmada river. Everyone had made their decision earlier, but we chose not to attend. Later, Bharatbhai and Maganbhai insisted on seeing the temple, so we came by tempo. We were having fun in the river when we noticed Maganbhai’s hand in the water. We pulled him out, but the rest got trapped in the water.”

A police officer said, “The victims may have ventured deep into the river and drowned due to the heavy current. The rescue teams including NDRF members are searching for the missing persons including children, but they are unable to fish out the bodies. The rescue mission will go on till late night”

A massive search operation is underway for the missing individuals. Rajpipla Town Police and the team of NDRF have rushed to the spot to and are actively involved in the rescue efforts.