Three dead, 2 missing as strong current sweeps away family at Bhushi Dam waterfall in Lonavala
Three dead, 2 missing as strong current sweeps away family at Bhushi Dam waterfall in Lonavala. (PTI)
Three people, including two minors, drowned in a waterfall behind Bhushi Dam in Pune’s Lonavala area, and two children from the same family are missing, police said.
The incident occurred around 12:30 PM on June 30. The victims, whose bodies have been recovered, have been identified as Shahista Ansari (36), Amima Ansari (13) and Umera Ansari (8). The missing children are Adnan Ansari (4) and Maria Sayyad (9). The family is from the Sayyad Nagar area of Pune.
Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, Pankaj Deshmukh, informed ANI: “A woman and four children went to a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala. Three bodies have been recovered at the end of search and rescue operations today; all five people are from one family.”
Superintendent Deshmukh said the bodies of Shahista Ansari, Amima Ansari and Umera Ansari have been recovered, but Adnan Ansari and Maria Sayyad are still missing. “The family was enjoying a day out when tragedy struck, with some members getting too close to the waterfall and being swept away by the strong currents,” Deshmukh told ANI.
The Lonavala Police and emergency services have launched a rescue operation involving divers and rescue teams. The search continues on Monday to find the missing children.
The family outing turned into a nightmare as five members were swept away by the strong currents of the waterfall, highlighting the dangers of such natural attractions. Authorities continue to urge caution in these areas to prevent further tragedies.