In a tragic incident, three schoolboys drowned in Varaladevi Lake, a crucial water source for Bhiwandi city, on Wednesday. Their bodies were recovered on Thursday evening by the Shanti Nagar police and the fire brigade team from the Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation.
Details of the Deceased:
- Gulam Mustafa Ansari (13)
- Sheikh Sahil Peer Mohammad (10)
- Dilbar Raza Shamshullah (12)
The boys, all close friends, lived in Pirani Pada, Shanti Nagar.
Timeline of Events:
- Wednesday Afternoon: The boys left their homes to play between 1 and 1:30 PM but did not return, prompting their families to report their disappearance to the Shanti Nagar police.
- Thursday Morning: Search operations began, initially treating the case as suspected abduction.
- Thursday Evening: Locals discovered the body of Gulam Mustafa floating in the lake. A search operation by the fire brigade and police later recovered the bodies of the other two boys.
Preliminary Investigation:
Authorities believe the boys ventured into the lake for a swim and underestimated its depth. They likely drowned after moving into the deeper parts of the lake.
- Current Status:
- The case has been registered as accidental death.
- The bodies were sent to Indira Gandhi Hospital for post-mortem.
- Further investigation is underway.
Safety Concerns:
This incident highlights the urgent need for safety measures around Varaladevi Lake to prevent such tragedies in the future. Regular patrols, warning signs, and community awareness initiatives could significantly reduce risks for children and locals near the water body.
