Taking a holy dip on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra on Wednesday proved costly for six youngsters as three teenagers were feared drowned in Hardoi while three minor girls drowned in Banda.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed officials to intensify rescue operations and trace the victims.
In Hardoi, a 14-year-old boy drowned and two other teenagers were missing after they were swept away by the river current while taking a dip on Ganga Dussehra on Wednesday.
The body of Divyansh (14) was recovered while a search was on for Shivam (15) and Mithun (15), Additional Superintendent of Police Gyanjay Singh said.
The incident took place at Shiasar Ghat in Arwal police station area.
In Banda, three girls drowned in Yamuna river in Kherha village on Wednesday, police said.
“Around 12 noon, Priti, Kiran and Shikha, aged between 9 and 11 years, ventured deep into the river while bathing and fatally drowned trying to save one another,” ASP Lal Bharat Kumar Pal said.
The bodies were fished out with the help of villagers and boatmen and sent for autopsy.
