Bhairahawa, May 21

As many as four minors died after they drowned in a public pond at Lumbini Cultural Municipality in Rupandehi today.

The deceased have been identified as Sahabiya Khatun, 14, Momina Khatun, 8, Abitha Khatun, 9, and Sahima Khatun, 9, of the municipality.

Chairman Agrammuddhin Mushalman of Ward 11 said that the children drowned while they were taking bath to observe Roja fasting of the Muslim community. The children were studying in a local school. The municipality mourned the children’s death.

Sahabiya’s father said the children went to the pond some 700 metres away from the house to take a holy bath.

“The children could have been saved if there had been timely rescue,” Sahabiya’s father added. He said the oldest public pond was wide and 10 feet deep.