Pune: In a tragic incident, three individuals, including two minors, drowned near a waterfall by Bhushi Dam in Lonavala on Sunday. Two children identified as 4-year-old Adnan Ansari and 9-year-old Mariya Sayyad are still missing.

The tragedy unfolded at around 12:30 pm on the backside of Bhushi Dam in Pune’s Lonavala region. The victims have been identified as Shahista Ansari (36) Amima Ansari (13) and Umera Ansari (8), Adnan Ansari (4) and Maria Sayyad (9), all residents of Sayyad Nagar, Pune City.

Efforts by Lonavala Police and emergency services are ongoing to locate the missing children. The family was enjoying a day out when the incident turned devastating, claiming the lives of five members.

SP Deshmukh added, "The victims have been identified as Shahista Ansari (36), Amima Ansari (13), and Umera Ansari (8), whose bodies have been recovered, and Adnan Ansari (4) and Maria Sayyad (9), who are still missing. The family was enjoying a day out when tragedy struck, with some members getting too close to the waterfall and being swept away by the strong currents.

According to Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, Pankaj Deshmukh, "A woman and four children drowned in a waterfall near Bhushi dam in Lonavala. Three bodies have been recovered at the end of search and rescue operations today; all five people are from one family."

On Monday morning, search and rescue operations resumed for the second day. The Indian Navy has deployed its divers for the operations. Rescue efforts were initiated immediately, with the Lonavala Police and emergency services swiftly responding to the scene. ANI