Grief grips Lohargava village in Bihar’s Motihari after a pond claimed six children’s lives on Holi eve. The group, out grazing goats after a lunar eclipse, went to the pond to wash up, unaware of its treacherous depths.
A single slip triggered a cascade of heroism turned horror, as each child jumped in to save the previous one. The toll includes sisters Priya Kumari (6), Sonakshi (9), and Sonali (12), alongside Prince Kumar (11), Chhoti Kumari (8), and Diksha Kumari (12).
Police from Kesariya station, aided by local divers, fished out the bodies and dispatched them to Motihari for examination. The District Magistrate’s visit brought promises of ex-gratia payments, offering scant comfort to wailing kin.
This incident exposes vulnerabilities in rural areas where ponds double as playgrounds. With Holi around the corner, the village’s joy has evaporated into collective mourning.
Community leaders urge installing warning signs and barriers. As investigations continue, the focus shifts to preventing such avoidable deaths, emphasizing vigilance and education on water hazards.