PUNE: In a tragic incident, a 14-year-old girl and her 17-year-old brother drowned in the river near Panshet dam on Sunday afternoon after they jumped into the water to rescue their mother who had fallen into the river while washing clothes.

As per information shared by Velha police, the incident took place at 1.30 pm on the banks of river Mose near Panshet dam.

The deceased were identified as Vaishnavi Bhagat (14) and her elder brother Kunal (17). The police said the two had gone to the river to wash clothes with their mother Kavita and a maternal cousin. 

It must be noted that as Dussehra is approaching people start cleaning their homes and a large number of people can be spotted on the river banks in rural area.  

Police Inspector Suvarna Hulwan of Velha police station said, “Our primary information is based on the statement given by the cousin of two deceased who were present on the spot. According to the cousin, Kavita first fell into the water as she slipped on a rock and started drowning. To save her Kunal and Vaishnavi jumped into the water. Seeing them jump, the cousin who was standing at a distance, came to the spot and also jumped into the water. He first took out Kunal and Vaishnavi who were closer and made them sit at the shore. He then jumped back to rescue Kavita but Kunal and Vaishnavi jumped again in water to save their mother but drowned in the river.”

The police said they will collect more information about the incident on Monday.