Dozens of children drown during Hindu festival in India


  • World
  • Thursday, 26 Sep 2024

LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) - At least 46 people have drowned, most of them children, while bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent floods during the observance of a Hindu religious festival celebrated by millions in north India, authorities said on Thursday.

The dead include 37 children and seven women who drowned on Wednesday in the eastern state of Bihar in scattered incidents across 15 districts, a statement from Bihar's disaster management department said.

India has seen deadly stampedes during religious events in the past but widespread drowning incidents during festivals are rare.

Local media reported that some of the rivers and ponds in the state had been swollen by floods following heavy rains.

Devotees were celebrating the annual festival of Jivitputrika Vrat, during which women fast for 24 hours and offer prayers for the wellbeing of their children. They also travel to rivers and ponds in their neighbourhood to bathe, sometimes accompanied by their children.

The state government has announced compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,784) for the families of each of the deceased, the statement said. ($1 = 83.6110 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Saurabh Sharma; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Peter Graff)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Eight convicted in France over murder of teacher who showed Prophet caricature
Death toll in German Christmas market car-ramming rises to five, more than 200 injured
Ukraine drone attack on Russian city of Kazan forces airport closure, media and aviation watchdog say
Pakistan military court jails 25 over 2023 attacks
Rival protests over South Korea's impeached President Yoon held in Seoul
Six killed in Ukrainian missile attack on Russia's Kursk region, acting governor says
Driver kills at least two after ramming into crowd at German Christmas market
Australian authorities urge hundreds to flee out-of-control bushfires
Cuba stages protest at US embassy over sanctions
Urgent: U.S. House passes stopgap funding bill to avert gov't shutdown

Others Also Read