Four Drown in Munak Canal, Search Ops On

At least four people, including three minors aged 13, 14, and 17 years, drowned after they were swept away in the Munak Canal in northwest Delhi's Bawana area on Thursday morning after a sudden surge in the water's current.

- Karn Pratap Singh

NEW DELHI: Two of the bodies were recovered by divers in the afternoon, but the search for the other two, brothers aged 17 and 18, continued late into the evening.

While initial reports suggested the boys had entered the canal for a swim, police later clarified it was an accident. One boy is believed to have slipped, prompting the others to jump in to save him. The four were then dragged away by the strong current, said deputy commissioner of police (outer-north) Nidhin Valsan.

The accident took place in the section of the canal behind the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Camp in Bawana.

"Prima facie, it appears that the canal's water level was unusually high due to heavy rain the previous night. The current may have caused the victims to drown and be washed away. Two bodies have been recovered. Efforts to locate the remaining two are ongoing," Valsan said.

A case in this connection is being registered at the Narela police station.