19-year-old feared drowned in Belapur pond in Mumbai

Mumbai city news: “The pond has divided into two parts with a brick wall. Gaikward first entered it from one side with a friend even though he did not know how to swim. He was drowning but his friend saved him and dragged him to the shore but he jumped back in from the other side,” said an officer from CBD Belapur police station.

A 19-year-old man from Mankhurd allegedly drowned in a pond at CBD Belapur on Thursday. The fire brigade officials along with the local police continued to look for Ajay Gaikward till late evening.

Rescue operations went on till late on Thursday. (HT)

According to the police, Gaikward had come to Agroli village at sector 29 with seven friends. Around 2pm they got into the pond for a swim.

“The pond has divided into two parts with a brick wall. Gaikward first entered it from one side with a friend even though he did not know how to swim. He was drowning but his friend saved him and dragged him to the shore,” said an officer from CBD Belapur police station.

“After some time, he dived into the pond the other side with some other friends. Others were too busy swimming to notice if Gaikwad was okay. All of a sudden they realized that Gaikward was missing and raised an alarm,” he said.

The fire brigade officials reached the spot after some time and started looking for him but were unable to find him till late on Thursday.