Probe launched into drowning deaths

Families of four boys who drowned in a watery pit in Delhi in darkness prepared for the last rites on Saturday, as authorities ordered a probe into alleged negligence by the city's water board.

Families of four boys who drowned in a watery pit in Delhi in darkness prepared for the last rites on Saturday, as authorities ordered a probe into alleged negligence by the city's water board.

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The boys died late Friday after falling into the seven-foot pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to lay a water line in Timaparpur area in north Delhi. The victims were from the nearby Gopalpur village.

The four children were identified as Vikas, 8, Atul, 7, his brother Ritesh, 9, and Narender, 8.

Furious villagers, who held up traffic to denounce official apathy, said the pit was dug nearly a month ago on DJB land. "The matter is being probed," a police official said.

On Saturday, the DJB said it had launched an inquiry.

"A team headed by DJB chief engineer will probe what happened and whether there was any negligence. The report will be submitted within two working days," DJB spokesperson Sanjam Cheema told IANS.