Four members of the same family drowned on Wednesday, November 11, in a farm water reservoir, locally known as a diggi, in the Chhatargarh area of Rajasthan's Bikaner district, in a tragedy that struck on the festival of Bhai Dooj, news agency IANS and The Times of India reported.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

According to preliminary information reported by IANS, one of the four accidentally fell into the water-filled tank, and the others entered the reservoir in an attempt to rescue them. All four drowned before they could be brought to safety. The Times of India reported that the dead were three siblings and their cousin, and that the incident occurred at a farm reservoir in 9AWM village of Chhatargarh tehsil.

Source: The Times of India (Jaipur News)

IANS reported that the incident took place in the 04 AWM area, about 70 km from Bikaner, under the jurisdiction of Chhatargarh police station, and that the four were the children of two brothers. The youngest of the dead was a 13-year-old girl and the eldest was 21. Police have not been quoted giving any other cause, and no foul play has been reported.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

Police personnel from Chhatargarh police station rushed to the spot after the drowning came to light and are investigating the circumstances of the incident, IANS reported. Further details are awaited.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

The deaths plunged the village into mourning, with IANS reporting that the family was devastated and residents of surrounding areas expressed deep sorrow. Open farm reservoirs and water tanks are a recurring drowning hazard in rural Rajasthan, where diggis are dug deep to store water for fields and livestock and are often unfenced.