New Delhi, Sept 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the drowning incident in Dehgam, Gujarat.

"PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the drowning incident in Dehgam, Gujarat. The injured will receive Rs 50,000," the official PMO handle posted on X.

PM Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the drowning incident in Gandhinagar.

"Deeply saddened by the news of lives lost in the drowning incident in Dehgam taluk, Gujarat. My condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May God grant peace to the departed souls," he posted on X.

Eight people drowned while bathing in the Meshwo River in Gujarat's Gandhinagar Friday, an official said. The incident occurred in Vasna Sogathi village.

According to Deputy SP Gandhinagar, D.T. Gohil, "In Vasna Sogathi village of Dehgam tehsil, nine youths from the village went to the Meshwo River dam at noon. They were bathing when an idol of Lord Ganesh arrived for Visarjan. One person started drowning while bathing, and others attempted to save him. So far, we have recovered eight bodies. An eyewitness reported that only eight people drowned, and we have now recovered all the bodies. However, SDRF and NDRF teams remain deployed to ensure no one else is missing."

Speaking on the rescue efforts, NDRF Team Commander Lakhan Raghuvanshi said, "The Gandhinagar NDRF team is actively engaged in the operation. We have recovered eight bodies, and according to local reports, one person remains unaccounted for. Our divers are working tirelessly, with both NDRF and SDRF teams involved in the rescue operation." 

(ANI)

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