Four of the six youths who drowned while taking a holy dip in the Damodar River near Telmocho Bridge on the Dhanbad–Bokaro highway on Wednesday were found dead, while the search for the remaining two continued on Thursday, officials said.
One of the victims has been identified as Vijay Yadav, a resident of Bhuli A-Block in Dhanbad. Local divers, along with villagers, are assisting in the ongoing search for the missing youths.
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The incident occurred during Kartik Purnima, when two groups of ten youths had arrived at Telmocho for the ritual bath. The first group, from Bhimkanali under Baghmara police station limits, entered the river around 11 a.m. Five of them were caught in a strong current—three were rescued by locals, while two, identified as Sumit Rai (17) and Sunny Chauhan (21), went missing.
The second group, from Bhuli A-Block, included Vijay Yadav, Rohit alias Chhotu, Rohan alias Golu, Priyanshu, and Anish. While Priyanshu stayed back on the riverbank, the other four entered the water and did not return. Priyanshu raised the alarm and informed their families after unsuccessful attempts to locate them.
Tension gripped the area on Thursday morning when the bodies were still untraced. Agitated locals and relatives blocked the Dhanbad–Bokaro main road, demanding stronger rescue efforts and administrative action.
Police and district officials later reached the site and persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade.
Residents alleged that illegal sand mining in the Damodar River had changed its depth and flow, increasing the danger of drowning. They urged the authorities to take firm action against those responsible.
Baghmara Block Development Officer Girjanand Kisku confirmed that six youths from Bhimkanali and Bhuli drowned after being swept away by the river’s swift current. “Four bodies have been recovered so far. The search for the remaining two is ongoing. The NDRF team has yet to reach the spot, and the operation will be intensified once they arrive,” he said.
