Two 13-year-old boys drown during idol immersion in Maharashtra's Nagpur

The police said that an accidental death (ADR) was registered in the matter and a probe was underway. Representational Pic/File

Two 13-year-old boys drowned in a village lake in Nagpur district of Maharashtra during the first immersion day of the 12-day Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations that began a day earlier, officials said, reported the PTI.

The incident took place around 11 am when local women gathered at the lake for the immersion rituals of Goddess Hartalika (Gaurai) idols. A group of local children accompanied the adults and entered the water body as the ceremony got underway.

The two victims were identified as Ayush Harish Kumre and Darshan Dhanraj Lad, both residents of Zilpa village in Katol tehsil, according to the PTI.

Villagers performing the immersion ceremony raised an alarm after realising that Ayush and Darshan were missing. The boys' uncles immediately leapt into the lake to search for them and succeeded in pulling both teenagers out of the water, the news agency reported.

Declared dead at hospital

The boys were rushed to Katol Rural Hospital for urgent medical treatment. However, attending doctors pronounced both teenagers dead on arrival, as per the PTI.

The police said that an accidental death (ADR) was registered and a further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the drowning was underway.

25,231 idols immersed till 9 pm in Mumbai

Meanwhile, as many as 25,231 idols were immersed in Mumbai by 9 pm on Tuesday, during the first immersion day, officials said.

They said that no untoward incident was reported during the immersions recorded.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made arrangements at immersion sites across the city, including artificial ponds and major natural immersion locations, to facilitate devotees and manage the expected crowds during the festival.

According to figures shared by BMC officials, 24,521 household Ganesh idols were immersed till 9 pm on Tuesday. 110 idols belonging to public Ganesh mandals were also immersed, while 600 Hartalika idols were included in the total.

The immersions recorded until 9 pm was:

- Sarvjanik Ganesh idols: 110

- Gharguti Ganesh idols: 24, 521

- Hartalika idols: 600

- Total: 25,231

The Mumbai civic authorities said that no untoward incident had been reported during the immersions.

The BMC and Mumbai Police have made arrangements at immersion points and along procession routes to manage crowds, traffic and the movement of devotees.

(with PTI inputs)