Bhubaneswar: In a heart-wrenching incident, four students drowned while immersing a Ganesh idol in the Subarnarekha canal at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, on Friday. Two students were rescued by fire brigade officials while two others are yet to be traced.
According to sources, the incident occurred under the Bhanjpur police limits at the Laxmiposi area, where the students, residing in a nearby mess, had gone to immerse the idol on Friday early morning. Strong currents swept them away as they ventured into the waterway to immerse the idol.
Locals rushed to their rescue after hearing their screams. Despite the intervention of residents and rescue efforts, two students are still unaccounted for. A search operation is ongoing, and further information is awaited.