2 Chhau artists drown in Damodar

Ramgarh: Two Chhau dancers died when they fell into the flooded Damodar river from the bus in which they were travelling late on Tuesday night. Another dancer, who was sitting on the roof of the bus along with the two, is missing.
A troupe of 35 Chhau dancers from West Bengal were on their way to Kuju for performing at a traditional night fair called Manda or Jagran on Rath mela.Some of them were sitting on the roof of the vehicle.
The accident happened when the bus was negotiating a bridge over the Damodar river on NH-33around 10.30 pm. Suddenly the driver applied the brakes after spotting a dead animal on the bridge and artists Ravi Singh Munda (19), Tarani Mahto (20) and Uttam Mahto (20) fell into the river due to the impact. Ravi Singh Munda and Tarani Mahto died while Uttam Mahto is still missing.
Ramgarh SP M Tamilvanan confirmed the death of the two persons died and said that one was still missing. Both bodies were recovered. Police has started a search operation with the help of swimmers.