Four girls, aged below 14, drowned in a pond at Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality-11, Rupandehi, on Monday.

Police identified the deceased as Momida Khatun (9), Abida Khatun, Sahima Khatun (both 10) and Sadiya Kahatun (14). The victims were from Masina settlement in Lumbini Sanskritik-11. Police said Momida and Abida were cousins.

Superintendent of Police Shyam Gyawali, saidthe victims drowned in Naukhaniya pond at Gaddihawa. Naukhaniya is a natural pond in the area that is around one kilometre away from the settlement. The incident happened when the victims were swimming in the pond.

Lumbini Sanskritik-11 Ward Chairman Akaramaddin Khan said residents informed police immediately after they came to know about the incident. The girls had died by the time police reached the site for rescue.