Puri: A tragic incident unfolded along the Odisha coast on Friday as one youth drowned and another went missing in separate mishaps at Puri and Chandrabhaga beaches, officials said.
According to sources, Shubhendu Pradhan (18), a resident of Jajpur district, went missing while bathing in the sea near a hotel beachfront in Puri. He was reportedly swept away by a sudden strong wave while in the water. Despite immediate concern, his whereabouts remain unknown, and search operations are underway.
In a separate incident near the Konark Chandrabhaga Eco Retreat under the jurisdiction of Chandrabhaga Marine Police Station, Munu Kumar (20), a native of Ambedkar Nagar area in Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh, drowned while bathing in the sea.
On receiving information, Marine Police and lifeguards rushed to the spot and retrieved Munu from the water. He was immediately taken to the Gop Community Health Centre, where doctors declared him dead.
Police said an unnatural death case (Case No. 2/26) has been registered at Chandrabhaga Marine Police Station, and an investigation has been initiated.
Notably, the deceased was working as a labourer at the Eco Retreat facility near Chandrabhaga.
Authorities have urged visitors to exercise caution while entering the sea, especially during rough conditions, as such incidents continue to be reported along the coast.
