UP: Photo attempt turns tragic as two youths drown in Jhansi dam

Jhansi (UP), Jul 14 (PTI) Two young men drowned in the Pahuj dam reservoir near Simardha village in Jhansi district on Sunday evening while attempting to get photographed on a rock located in the middle of the water body, police officials said. Their bodies were recovered nearly 14 hours later on Monday morning.

According to police, the deceased, Rishabh Sijoria (24) and Abhishek (22), both cousins and residents of the Khati Baba area of Jhansi city, went near the dam with a friend named Shikhar.

During the outing, the two cousins reportedly swam towards a large rock in the middle of the dam reservoir to pose for a photograph.

Shikhar, who stayed back on the shore, was given a phone to take the picture. However, as Rishabh and Abhishek began swimming, they were seen struggling to stay afloat in the water.

Despite attempts by nearby people to rescue them, both drowned, said Anand Singh, in-charge of the Sipri Bazar police station.

Police launched a search operation late Sunday evening with the help of divers, but the effort yielded no results through the night, Singh said.

The operation resumed early Monday morning, and at about 7 am, both bodies were found near the rock.

The bodies were sent for post-mortem, and further investigation is underway, he added. PTI COR KIS SMV AMJ AMJ