accident news - Dainik Jagran English

Rewa Girl Drowns in Belan River During Wedding Function

Vaishnavi — Fri, 15 May 2026 11:03:23 +0530

A heartbreaking accident was reported from Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh after a minor girl drowned in the Belan River during a wedding ceremony in Padri village. The victim, identified as Ruchi Kumari, had come to her maternal grandparents’ house to attend a marriage function when the incident took place on Thursday afternoon. The tragedy has shocked the entire village and turned what was meant to be a joyful celebration into a scene of grief and mourning.

According to local residents and police officials, the child was playing with other children near the wedding venue before they gradually moved towards the nearby Belan River. During the course of the play, Ruchi reportedly slipped near the riverbank and fell into deep water. Before nearby people could react, the strong flow and depth of the river pulled the child underwater.

Witnesses said children present at the spot raised an alarm immediately after seeing the girl disappear into the river. Hearing the cries for help, villagers and family members rushed towards the riverbank and began efforts to rescue her. Several local residents entered the water and searched for the child for a considerable amount of time. After continuous efforts, villagers managed to pull the girl out of the river. However, by the time she was brought to the shore, she was unconscious and showed no signs of movement. Family members attempted to revive her, but she had already died due to drowning, according to initial information shared by local authorities.

The incident caused panic and emotional scenes at the wedding venue. Relatives who had gathered to celebrate the marriage broke down after receiving news of the child’s death. Eyewitnesses said the atmosphere in the village changed completely within minutes, with cries and chaos replacing the festive celebrations. Local residents stated that Ruchi Kumari had arrived at her maternal grandparents’ house only recently to attend the wedding function along with other family members. She was reportedly spending time with cousins and children from the neighbourhood before the accident occurred.

Police officials from Chakghat police station reached the spot soon after receiving information about the drowning incident. Officers inspected the area and took the body into custody for legal formalities. A panchnama was conducted at the site before the body was sent to the civil hospital for post-mortem examination.

Officials said the investigation is currently underway and statements of family members and local witnesses are being recorded. Police are also examining the exact circumstances that led to the accident. The incident has once again highlighted concerns regarding safety arrangements around rivers and water bodies in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh. Villagers claimed that the Belan River remains dangerous during several months of the year due to deep sections and slippery banks. According to residents, there are no warning signs, barricades or safety measures near the river despite repeated concerns raised by locals.

Some villagers alleged that children and visitors often reach the riverbank during social and family gatherings because of the open access to the area. They said the absence of security arrangements increases the risk of accidents, especially during crowded events such as weddings and festivals. Residents of Padri village demanded stronger safety measures near the river to prevent similar incidents in the future. They urged the local administration to install warning boards and fencing at vulnerable points along the riverbank. Some locals also suggested deploying safety personnel or creating awareness regarding water-related dangers in villages located close to rivers.

Police officials stated that further action would be taken after completion of the post-mortem process and inquiry. Authorities said all aspects related to the incident are being examined, though preliminary findings indicate it was an accidental drowning case. The death of the young girl has deeply affected the local community. Villagers gathered outside the family’s house after the incident to offer condolences and support to the grieving relatives. Many people described the incident as one of the most painful tragedies witnessed in the area in recent months.

Social workers and local residents said incidents involving children drowning in rivers and ponds continue to surface in rural regions due to lack of awareness and safety infrastructure. They stressed the need for increased monitoring of children during large family gatherings, especially in villages situated near water bodies. The tragic accident has also sparked discussion on the importance of emergency response systems in remote areas. Locals claimed that immediate rescue equipment or trained personnel were not available at the spot when the child fell into the river, forcing villagers to rely entirely on manual rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, police presence remained in the village for some time after the incident as authorities completed procedural work and interacted with family members. Officials appealed to residents to remain cautious near rivers and ensure children are not left unattended near deep water areas.

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Moving Ford Fiesta Catches Fire in Rewa; Driver Jumps to Safety

Abhishek Joshi — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:56:35 +0530

Car Fire on Rewa Road

Driver Jumps Out Just in Time

A moving Ford Fiesta suddenly caught fire late Sunday night in Rewa district’s Garhiya locality, under Bichiya police station limits. The driver managed to jump out of the vehicle just as flames began spreading, saving his own life. No one was injured in the incident. But the car was completely gutted.

Eyewitnesses said smoke started rising from the car while it was still moving. Within minutes, the smoke turned into thick flames that rapidly engulfed the entire vehicle.

Locals Rush to Help

People nearby rushed toward the burning car after seeing the fire. Some tried to alert other motorists. Others quickly called the police and fire department. There was visible panic in the area for a short while, but the driver had already moved to a safe distance by then.

The fire brigade team reached the spot after receiving the alert. They worked for nearly 20 minutes to bring the blaze under complete control. By the time the flames were doused, the Ford Fiesta had turned into a blackened, twisted frame. Nothing much remained.

Short Circuit Likely Cause

Initial assessments by officials suggest a short circuit or some other technical failure triggered the fire. “The car was running normally until the driver noticed smoke from the dashboard. He stopped, but the fire spread too fast,” said an official who did not wish to be named. Police have registered the matter. Bichiya police station is conducting an初步 investigation.

No official forensic report has come out yet. But sources familiar with the matter said electrical malfunction remains the primary line of inquiry.

Questions Over Police Response

The incident has sparked quiet criticism in the locality about how quickly police reacted. Some residents said officers reached the spot only after the fire had already destroyed the car. “When something like this happens on a road, police should act faster. What if it had been a crowded market area?” asked a local shopkeeper who saw the fire.

Authorities have not issued any formal statement on the response time yet. Traffic in the area was briefly disrupted but returned to normal after midnight. Officials have urged vehicle owners to get regular electrical checks done, especially for older models. The Ford Fiesta involved in the fire was reported to be over 10 years old.

The driver is said to be stable and has recorded his statement with the police. No further complaints have been lodged so far.

Anuppur Lodge Collapse: 3 Dead, Rescue On

Abhishek Joshi — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:19:10 +0530

Anuppur Lodge Collapse: Third Body Found, Rs 9 Lakh Compensation

Three dead as three-storey building caves in near Kotma bus stand; rescue teams from Bhilai and Varanasi join operation.

The death toll in the Anuppur lodge collapse rose to three on Sunday morning as rescue personnel pulled out a woman’s body from the debris. The three-storey building in Kotma bus stand area had caved in on Saturday evening. Officials confirmed two earlier fatalities – Hanuman Deen Yadav (55) and Ram Kripal Yadav (40) – while three persons sustained injuries. The woman’s identity remains unknown.

Rescue Operations Continue

More than 100 personnel from NDRF, SDRF and local teams have been clearing the rubble for nearly 19 hours. Special rescue units from Bhilai and Varanasi reached the site on Sunday to assist. According to officials, the operation will continue until all debris is removed and any remaining trapped persons are accounted for.

Cause Under Investigation

Eyewitnesses said the building tilted towards an adjacent pit before collapsing. Preliminary findings indicate that a 12-feet-deep pit dug for construction work nearby had filled with water, possibly weakening the lodge’s foundation. A senior district official said a structural audit will be conducted once rescue work ends.

Case Registered Against Owners

Anuppur Superintendent of Police Motiur Rahman confirmed that a case has been filed at Kotma police station under BNS sections 290 and 106. The accused are land owner Rajeev Garg and lodge owner Lallu Lal Agrawal. Police said negligence in construction safety and failure to maintain the building’s stability are the primary grounds for the case.

Compensation Announced

Collector Harshal Pancholi announced on Sunday that the state government will provide Rs 9 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Injured persons will receive Rs 2.5 lakh each. “The compensation will be disbursed immediately after verification of documents,” the collector said, adding that medical expenses of the injured will also be borne by the administration.

Former MLA Raises Concerns

Former Kotma MLA Sunil Saraf expressed alarm over the incident, stating that several other buildings in the area face similar risks. “This is not an isolated case. Many structures here have been weakened by nearby excavation. The administration must take strict action to prevent a repeat,” he told reporters.

Market Shut for Safety

Local markets near the bus stand remained closed on Sunday due to the ongoing rescue and barricading. Residents pointed out that the casualty count could have been much higher had the market been open on Saturday. The lodge was undergoing repairs at the time, which kept footfall low, according to shopkeepers.

Search Teams Face Challenges

A 41-member NDRF team from Varanasi along with Bhilai’s rescue unit has been using dog squads and heavy machinery. However, the depth of the debris and the water-filled pit are hampering progress. “The dogs are returning repeatedly because of the unstable ground. We are removing debris in layers,” a rescue official said. CCTV footage of the collapse is being reviewed to trace any other missing persons.

Officials have assured that a full inquiry into the building’s permissions and structural safety will follow. Meanwhile, rescue teams remain on high alert as hopes fade of finding more survivors under the concrete and mud. The district administration has urged the public to avoid the area and report any similar unsafe structures immediately.