Six drown during Ganpati immersion in Maharashtra

NAGPUR - Ganpati immersion turned into a tragedy in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district when six people drowned during the ceremonies Wednesday afternoon, police said.

“The victims had gone to the Irai river to immerse the Ganesh idol when they reportedly lost their balance and were washed away in the waters,” said H.G. Chandewar, police head of Urjanagar town in Chandrapur, around 170 km from here.

The victims have been identified as Rahul Ramesh Konbatturwar, Dharmaraj Anil Konbatturwar, Santosh Ramrao Bilare, Shalik Shravan Dhadse, Mansatram Shravan Dhadse and Avinash Anandrao Ramteke.

Following the incident, the local authorities tightened vigil over the immersion ceremonies in the region and kept the crowds at a safe distance.

Urjanagar is a township of the Maharashtra State Electricity Board and a majority of the people work in the power station nearby.