Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Jun 3: A tragic incident in Bihar’s Madhubani district claimed the lives of five children after a group of seven youngsters drowned while bathing in a deep water-filled excavation pit on Wednesday.

The accident occurred in the Raghepura–Yadupatti Chaur area of Benipatti, near Kerwar village under Patona police station limits, where soil had earlier been excavated using a JCB machine, leaving behind a large pit that later filled with water.

According to police officials, all the children involved were aged between 12 and 15 years. Around noon, they had gone to the site to bathe, unaware of the depth of the stagnant water. Several of them reportedly slipped into deeper sections and began drowning, while attempts by others to rescue them also turned fatal.

Local residents rushed to the spot after being alerted and managed to pull the children out of the water. They were taken to Benipatti Sub-Divisional Hospital using ambulances and private vehicles. Doctors declared two children dead on arrival, while three others succumbed during treatment. The remaining two children are undergoing treatment in critical condition.

Seven pairs of slippers were found near the edge of the pit, indicating the point where the children had entered the water.

Following the incident, district administration and police officials reached the site and began an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Benipatti Sub-Divisional Officer Sharang Pani Pandey also visited the hospital to review the situation and gather details from medical staff and families of the victims.

Locals have expressed anger over the lack of safety measures around deep excavation sites, alleging that such hazardous pits are often left uncovered and unattended after soil extraction work.

The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over Kerwar village and surrounding areas as authorities continue investigations into the incident.