2 Delhi youths swept away in Rishikesh

Haridwar: Two youngsters from Delhi went missing after being swept away by the strong current of the Ganga river in Rishikesh on Saturday. Police said both were preparing for govt jobs in the national capital and were in Uttarakhand for the weekend.According to police, a group of six friends were bathing in the river in the afternoon when Prem Singh (26), a resident of Burari, and Rajan Kumar (24), a resident of Sangam Vihar, drifted towards deep water and went missing. The incident took place near Singthali bridge on the Badrinath national highway in Lakshman Jhula police station limits in Pauri district.SDRF teams from nearby areas of Dhalwala and Byasi, along with police, launched a search operation, but rising water levels, strong currents and muddy river conditions were hampering their efforts.SDRF local in-charge Kavindra Sajwan told TOI: “After reaching Kaudiyala, Rajan Kumar (one of those missing) went for a swim in the Ganga. Within minutes, he was swept away.”Sajwan added: “His friend Prem Singh tried to save him, but he, too, went missing within minutes. Another friend tried to save them, but failed and was rescued by locals. Search operation will resume on Sunday morning.”