Nine youths drown in Gujarat; five die during Ganesh idol immersion

Authorities reported that nine youths lost their lives after drowning in a water body in Gujarat. The incident unfolded during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when a group of young men attempted to immerse a Ganesh idol.

Five of the fatalities have been directly linked to the immersion ritual, as the idol’s heavy base and the strong current caused the participants to be pulled under water. Rescue teams arrived promptly but could only retrieve three bodies, while the remaining victims were later declared dead.

Local officials have launched an inquiry to determine whether safety protocols were ignored and to recommend measures for future immersions. The incident has sparked calls for stricter crowd management and the use of safer, lightweight idols during religious processions.