Eight Jaipur Men Drown in Banas River During Picnic, Tragedy Prompts Safety Concerns

Tonk, Rajasthan, June 10, 2025 — A day of leisure turned into heartbreak when eight young men from Jaipur drowned in the Banas River during a picnic in Rajasthan’s Tonk district on Tuesday. The group, which had ventured into the river for a bath, was caught off-guard by a deep section of water, according to local authorities. While three men were rescued and are now in stable condition, the remaining eight were declared dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital.

Tonk Superintendent of Police Vikas Sangwan confirmed that the group, all aged between 25 and 30, had come from Jaipur for a day-long outing. “They entered the river near a popular picnic spot and unknowingly slipped into a deep patch,” said Sangwan. The sudden plunge into the deeper area proved fatal for the majority of the group, triggering an emergency response from local rescue units.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed grief over the incident on social media, calling it “extremely sad and painful.” He said that the district administration was directed to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also conveyed condolences and called for more stringent safety measures around natural water bodies to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The tragedy has renewed discussions about public safety infrastructure at natural sites frequently used for recreation. While the Banas River is a popular destination for visitors from nearby cities, locals have long pointed out the lack of warning signage, lifeguards, or designated bathing zones.

Officials said they would review the safety protocols in place at such locations and assess the need for improved monitoring and public awareness campaigns.

As Tonk mourns the untimely deaths of the eight men, questions linger over how quickly preventive steps can be implemented. The lives lost underscore the need for not just vigilance, but also proactive governance in ensuring public safety in natural recreational settings.