Two youths drown in Rapti river while filming reel in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur: Two youths drowned in the Rapti river while filming a reel with friends in Gorakhpur on Saturday afternoon. One of them reportedly drifted into deep water during the shoot, while the other drowned while attempting to rescue him. Their bodies were later recovered during a search operation conducted by police and NDRF personnel.

The incident occurred near Kartahari village under the Pipiganj police station area, where a group of seven friends had gone for a bath in the river. According to police, the youths were making videos and reels while swimming when one of them ventured into deeper waters and began struggling.

Hearing his cries for help, another friend jumped in to rescue him. However, both were pulled into deeper currents and disappeared beneath the surface. Their companions rushed to help but failed to save them.

Police and NDRF teams launched a search operation. CO GIDA Yogendra Singh said one body was recovered shortly afterwards and identified as Shivam Kumar (21), a resident of Jagdishpur Gahi village under Sahjanwa police station limits. Following an extensive search, rescuers recovered the second body, identified as Golu Kumar (19), also from the same village.