By | Kunwarchand Mandale
Nanded: Ganesh Visarjan celebrations in Nanded turned tragic on Saturday evening when three youths entered the Asna river at Gadegaon for idol immersion. Due to the high water level, all three slipped into deep waters. While villagers managed to rescue one, two others were swept away by the strong current and remain missing.
According to police and district administration, the missing youths have been identified as Balaji Kailas Ubale (18), a motorcycle mechanic, and Yogesh Govind Ubale (17), who worked at a clothing shop. Both were residents of Gadegaon. The rescued youth has been identified as Shailesh Irbaji Ubale.
Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred when one youth slipped, and the others got dragged in while trying to help. Local villagers managed to pull Shailesh out safely, but Balaji and Yogesh were carried away by the river’s strong flow.
On receiving information, officials from the district administration, revenue department, and local police rushed to the spot. An SDRF rescue team has been deployed, and the search operation continued late into the night.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow of grief over Gadegaon village, with both families devastated. The atmosphere of festivity during Ganesh Visarjan quickly turned into mourning.