SHIMLA: In a tragic incident, seven teenaged pilgrims including a 35 year old man of the same street from Banoor village in Mohali in Punjab plunged into the Gobind Sagar for swimming near Lathiani, but were drowned to death in the deep swelling waters of the lake.
The ill-fated youth, six of them in a 15-18 year age group, were on their way to Baba Balak Nath temple from their native village Banur in Mohali district of Punjab today. In all there were 11 pilgrims to the Baba Balak Nath temple.
As soon as they reached Lathiani, one of them undertook the misadventure on the way in his bid to beat the sweltering summer heat at around 3:15 PM on Monday today.
As soon as he started drowning, six of them surged ahead in the surging waters of the lake to save him. They made a deadly plunge into the deep deceptive water of the lake which had swelled further due to the heavy discharge in the Lake from the Satluj river due to the heavy rain falls.
There were reports that the four youth managed to swim up from the deep of the lake and raised alarm for a while.
But before locals could something and rescue team could reach the site, they had drowned to death.
As soon as locals got to know about the incident, they sounded the near Bangana police of Una district for help.
The Gotaghor plunged into the Lake and fished out them out, but they were dead, confirmed SDM Bangana.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has expressed grief over the death of the youth to the bereaved families.
DGP Sanjay Kundu said the visitors and locals are advised not to the go near the rivers and khads and lakes as these can be dangerous due to the presence of water current, undercurrents or whirlpools.
