Bantwal: Four bodies of teenagers who ventured into River Phalguni have been recovered and search is underway for the another missing boy.
It may be recalled that Aslam (17) is the deceased while Rameez (17), Ajmal (18), Mudassar (17) and Sawad (17), all local residents of Bantwal, on November 6, came together to have a refreshing swim in the river. Locals who noticed five boys under the bridge asked them to leave the place. So they went near Hiridel Hote and entered the river.
When they did not return to their respective homes even after fall of dusk, worried family members started a search. The parents of the boys who found their clothes and mobile phone placed on the bank of the river, confirmed that they may have fallen into trouble.
On Tuesday morning, body of Sawad was found and by afternoon fire personnel with the help of swimming experts and locals recovered the bodies of Azmal, Rameez and Aslam. The body of Mudassar is still missing.
Since Puchemugeru dam water was released on Monday night the search operation got delayed.
The post mortem of the bodies has been done at Bantwal Community Health Centre.
District SP Sudhir Kumar Reddy, Bantwal ASP Dr Arun, inspector Prakash and staff visited the spot and a case has been registered at Bantwal Rural Police Station.
