Bhubaneswar: A pall of gloom descended on Atrukana village of Bhadrak district after three children died after drowning in a pond on Tuesday.
The deceased toddlers have been identified as Payal Patra (3), Bharati Patra (4) and Lipsa Patra (3).
According to sources, the trio had come to the Atrukana Anganwadi Centre to attend classes. After their classes were over, the children were playing outside the Anganwadi center. While playing, they wandered off towards the nearby pond located close to the Anganwadi Centre. Unfortunately, three children accidentally fell into the pond and drowned.
Locals rescued the children and admitted them to Agarpada Hospital where they were declared dead, sources said.
Meanwhile, the Bhadrak District Collector ordered a probe into the incident.