A major tragedy struck Begusarai district in Bihar on Sunday afternoon when three out of five school students, who went for a bath in the Burhi Gandak River, drowned in deep waters. The incident occurred at Basouna Ghat, under the Cheria Bariarpur police station area. It is reported that the five friends had gone to bathe in the river when three of them ventured into deeper sections and started drowning. The remaining two friends, witnessing their companions in distress, panicked and fled the scene.

The incident came to light when villagers noticed clothes and bicycles abandoned at the ghat, raising suspicions of someone having drowned. Subsequently, Bam-Bam Singh, the Mukhiya representative of Mehda Shahpur Panchayat, made announcements to inform the surrounding areas. The news quickly spread, and a large number of people gathered at Basouna Ghat.

The missing students have been identified as Pawan Kumar (11), son of Arjun Yadav, from Gajbor Tola, Manjhaul Panchayat-1, under Manjhaul police station; Shrishikesh Kumar (12), son of Munna Yadav; and Adarsh Kumar (13), son of Bablu Sahni, a resident of Nityanand Chowk. Police are also questioning the two students who were present at the time of the incident.

Upon receiving information, the administration and police teams, including Cheria Bariarpur MLA Abhishek Kumar, Circle Officer, and Station House Officer, reached the spot. A rescue operation is underway in the presence of the administration, with the SDRF team actively searching the river for the three missing students.

The Burhi Gandak River is reportedly very deep at the site of the accident. Due to flooding in the area, the river's water level is high, making it difficult to gauge the depth. The families of the missing students are in distress, with parents inconsolable and hoping for their children's safe return. Adarsh and Shrishikesh are said to be the only sons in their respective families, intensifying the families' worries.