Tragedy in Haridwar: Techie Swept Away in Ganga, Friend Drowns During Brave Rescue Attempt

New Delhi, April 6, 2026 – A spiritual retreat turned into a nightmare for two families from Ghaziabad after two friends drowned in the Ganga River on Sunday. The victims, identified as a 42-year-old software professional and his 35-year-old businessman friend, were swept away by strong currents while bathing at a popular spot in Haridwar.

A Pilgrimage Ends in Grief

The victims, Brijesh Kumar Tripathi, a techie working with a Gurugram-based firm, and Sachin Tyagi, who ran a garment business, had traveled from Raj Nagar Extension, Ghaziabad, to Haridwar for a weekend pilgrimage. They were accompanied by their families and had reached the holy city just a day prior to the incident.

According to eyewitnesses and local police, the group had gone to the Dudhiya Band area near the Haridwar city police station to take a holy dip on Sunday morning.

The Fatal Rescue Attempt

The tragedy unfolded when Tripathi, while bathing, reportedly lost his footing on the slippery riverbed. Before he could recover, the powerful undercurrent of the Ganga pulled him into deeper waters. Seeing his friend struggling and being swept away, Tyagi immediately jumped into the river in a desperate attempt to pull him to safety.

However, the force of the water proved too much for both men. Within moments, they were both overwhelmed by the current and disappeared from sight as their horrified family members watched from the banks.

Search and Recovery Operation

Local onlookers immediately raised an alarm, prompting a swift response from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police divers. After an intensive search operation lasting several hours, rescue teams managed to recover both bodies from the river.

SHO Kundan Singh Rana confirmed the deaths, stating, “One of the men slipped due to the strong current, and the other drowned while trying to save him. Despite immediate deployment of divers, they could not be saved.”

Authorities Issue Warning

This incident has once again highlighted the dangers of bathing in non-designated or deep stretches of the Ganga. Local authorities noted that while several areas have warning boards and safety chains, many pilgrims often venture into restricted zones like the Saptrishi area, where the riverbed is uneven and the current is deceptive.

“The river flow can be extremely unpredictable during this season,” a rescue official remarked. “We urge visitors to stick to the developed ghats where safety measures are in place and to avoid venturing into the water during high-flow alerts.”

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and the families are currently being assisted by the local administration for the journey back to Ghaziabad. The residential society where the two lived is in a state of shock, mourning the loss of two neighbors who were known for their close friendship.