13-yr-old falls into Bhiwandi drain, swept away; 2 drown in Navi Mumbai river

Bhiwandi/Navi Mumbai: A 13-year-old boy, Mohammed Abuzar, was swept away in a stormwater drain while playing with friends in Bhiwandi on Monday. This was the third such tragedy involving minors in Bhiwandi in the last three days.

The other victims are still missing.According to the civic body, Abuzar lost his balance and fell into the fast-flowing water. He was swept away by strong currents before anyone could rescue him. A search operation was immediately mounted but he could not be traced till late evening.Meanwhile, a youth drowned in Waghachiwadi river near Gadeshwar dam in Navi Mumbai and his friend was washed away on Sunday evening. The two were part of a group of 10 friends out on a monsoon picnic by the river.Prithviraj Ghorpade, senior inspector, Panvel taluka police, said Nayan Mhatre (25) got caught in the currents and Sumit Pawar (26) rushed to rescue him but was pulled in too. Mhatre got swept away and Pawar was pulled out. The other friends rushed Pawar, who had difficulty in breathing, to hospital, where he was declared dead.