Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Aug 7: A woman and her four children are feared to have drowned in a pond in Bihar's East Champaran district, with four bodies recovered and search operations continuing for one missing child, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred under the Govindganj police station limits in the Areraj subdivision, triggering panic in the area as villagers gathered at the spot.

Police and civil administration officials rushed to the scene and launched a search operation with the help of local residents. Four bodies, including that of the woman, were recovered from the pond, while efforts were underway to trace the fifth victim.

The deceased woman has been identified as Sushila Devi, wife of Dharmendra Mahto and a resident of Ward No. 6 of Babhnauli Panchayat.

According to local residents, the victims include the woman, her two sons and two daughters. However, police said the identities of all the victims and the exact number of casualties would be confirmed only after the recovery operation is completed and official verification is carried out.

The tragedy has left the family devastated and cast a pall of gloom over the village.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. While some villagers suspect it may be linked to a family dispute, others believe the woman and her children may have accidentally fallen into the pond while she had gone to collect fodder for livestock.

Police said all possible angles are being investigated and no conclusions have been drawn so far.

Officials, including the Areraj Circle Officer and personnel from Govindganj police station, visited the spot following the incident.

The recovered bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, while legal formalities are underway.

Search operations involving divers and local residents were continuing to locate the missing victim.

Police said the exact cause of the incident would be established only after the investigation is completed and statements of family members and other witnesses are recorded.

The district administration has appealed to the public not to spread rumours and to rely only on official information as the investigation progresses.