Daltonganj: An NDRF team on Monday recovered the bodies of two friends swept away while reportedly taking selfies at Datam Patam waterfall under Herhunj police station limits in Latehar district.The victims, Aqib (28) of Balumath in Latehar and Asif (30) of Panki in Palamu, had visited the waterfall on Sunday. They were reportedly taking selfies near the plunge pool when strong currents swept them away.Police, local residents and rescue teams searched extensively on Sunday but failed to locate them. Following an SOS from the district administration, an NDRF team reached the site on Monday and retrieved the bodies in a bloated condition.Datam Patam waterfall, a tributary of Koyel river, has a nearly 150-foot drop and a deep, treacherous plunge pool. Balumath SDPO Umesh Prasad Singh said the incident could have been avoided had the two heeded warnings from residents and cautionary signboards at the site.Residents said visitors frequently ignored safety advisories against approaching the water for photographs and selfies. Post-mortem examinations were conducted at Sadar Hospital, Latehar. Police registered a case of unnatural death and initiated further proceedings.
