10 washed away in Ganga: 1 dead, 1 missing & 8 rescued

Kolkata: Ten persons, including three woman, were recently washed away by high tides in Ganga at Nimtala Ghat.

According to local residents, a group of ten persons reached Nimtala Ghat for cremation of a family member. Around 11:30 pm, the cremation was completed.

The deceased's family members collected the ashes for rituals. According to Hindu rituals, the ashes are immersed into water by the person who had lit the pyre.

To follow the ritual, one of them waded into the river and others followed him. While they were immersing the ashes, a high tide pushed them deep into the water.

Locals and others, who had come for cremation, alerted them. They stood near a railing for safety but the tide was so powerful, it washed the railing along with all ten of them.

The North Port police station was informed. Police and Disaster Management Group (DMG) rushed to the spot but had to wait due to high

tides.

After almost an hour, the search operation commenced. Divers from the Disaster Management Group searched in and around Nimtala Ghat.

After a few hours divers rescued a person, identified as Prasenjit Majumdar, (31) in an unconscious state who was declared brought dead by the doctors at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).

Throughout the night, the search operation continued and divers rescued eight other persons in critical condition.

They have been admitted at the CMCH where they are still undergoing treatment. A woman identified as Mitali Chowdhury is missing.

Search operation is still on to find her.

Also, police stations in adjacent areas have been informed to keep an eye on the river banks of Ganga.