Toll during Ganesha idols immersion rises to 13

As least 13 persons drowned during the ceremonial immersion of Lord Ganesha's idols in the Yamuna river here Wednesday. Rescue operations were continuing Thursday and authorities said the toll might go up.

"At least four more bodies have been fished out from Wazirabad ghat since Thursday morning while a total of nine bodies were recovered Wednesday from the Yamuna river," a fire service official told IANS.

All the victims drowned in the Yamuna river here at various ghats Wednesday during immersion ceremonies of Lord Ganesha's idols, police said.

Five bodies were fished out from Wazirabad, two from Burari and one from Sonia Vihar area, a police official added.

The deceased were identified as Rajesh, 25, Toshi, 25, Rahul 31, Kale, 31, and Yogesh Kumar, 20.

While the bodies of Sunny, 22, and Bhogat, 20, were fished out from Sonia Vihar, 45-year-old Bhagat was brought out from Burari.

Many bodies have not been identified as yet.

Last year, five people had drowned at Wazirabad ghat during idol immersion.