KOLKATA (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A festive celebration turned into a tragedy in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday as three members of a family drowned and a fourth person went missing in the Hooghly River. The incident occurred at Balaram Sarkar Ghat in the Bhatpara Municipality after the victims went for a dip following Dol Jatra (Holi) festivities.
Incident and Rescue Operation
According to police reports, three men entered the river to bathe after playing with colors. However, they lost their balance due to the river’s strong current and were swept away. A fourth person, who jumped in to rescue them, was also carried away by the water.
- Victims Identified:
- Saikat Nandi (32)
- Sourav Nandi (27)
- Balaram Sarkar
- Location: Balaram Sarkar Ghat, Ward 33, Bhatpara.
- Residence: All deceased were residents of Madrul Government Colony in Bhatpara and were members of the same family.
Search Efforts
A massive search and rescue operation was launched immediately by the Bhatpara Police with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local divers.
- Current Status: Three bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.
- Missing Person: Intensive search operations using speedboats are still underway to locate the fourth individual who attempted the rescue.
Festive Safety and Security
The tragedy occurred despite heightened security across West Bengal for the festival.
- Police Advisory: Prior to the festival, Kolkata and district police had issued warnings against entering water bodies in an inebriated state.
- Deployment: Nearly 4,000 personnel were deployed across the state to monitor ghats and sensitive locations, with Disaster Management Group (DMG) teams stationed at 24 major ghats along the Ganga.
- Community Impact: The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Madrul Government Colony, where the family resided.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “West Bengal: 3 drown, 1 missing after being swept away by river in Bhatpara” (March 4, 2026)
- The Week: “West Bengal 3 drown 1 missing after being swept away by river in Bhatpara” (March 4, 2026)
- Aajtak Bangla: “দোলের দিন ভাটপাড়ায় গঙ্গায় তলিয়ে যাওয়া ৩ জনের দেহ উদ্ধার, এখনও নিখোঁজ ১” (March 4, 2026)
- Devdiscourse: “Tragedy in the Hooghly: Festive Bath Turns Fatal” (March 4, 2026)
- Rediff News: “Hooghly River Tragedy: Three Drown After Dol Celebration Bathing” (March 4, 2026)
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