Two minor girls drown in city water tank

Jaipur: Two five-year-old girls died after drowning in a water-filled tank at an under-construction house in Jaipur's Shipra Path area Tuesday evening, police said.Police have identified the deceased as Radhika (5), daughter of Pappu Kumar, originally from Bihar, and Gosia (5), daughter of Zakir, originally from Uttar Pradesh. According to police, the incident occurred in Jagannathpuri Second, where the girls were playing near their homes. Officials said the children stepped out to play around 7.15pm. When they did not return after 15–20 minutes, their families began searching for them in the neighbourhood. After an extensive search, family members found the girls' slippers near a water tank at an under-construction house. When they looked inside the tank, they saw the bodies floating, police said. The children were rushed to Jaipuria Hospital, where doctors declared them dead after examination. Police said the tank was around eight feet deep and contained nearly six feet of water. The area around the tank was dark and had no lighting, which delayed detection.Police said both families have been living on rent in Jagannathpuri Second for the past three to four years.Police said Radhika's father works as a painter in the Bhankrota area, while Gosia's father, who is physically disabled, earns a living selling mobile accessories on a rickshaw.Officials said Gosia was the only daughter of her parents, while Radhika's father has two children. The bodies were kept in the hospital mortuary for post-mortem.Police said further investigation is under way.