Kendujhar: Two minor brothers drowned while bathing in the Aradei river near Silisuam under Jhumpura police station limits in Kendujhar district on Saturday, while another 13-year-old boy was critically injured in the incident, police said.
The deceased were identified as Ahmad Ansari (14) and Saad Ansari (13), sons of Mohammed Mahibur Rahman and residents of Arsala Muslim Basti. Their neighbour, Mustafa (13), son of Md Mazum, was also with them.
According to reports, the three boys accidentally slipped into deep water while bathing in the river and began to drown. Local residents rushed to their rescue and managed to pull two of them out. Saad, however, had died by then, while Mustafa was rushed to Kendujhar District Headquarters Hospital in critical condition.
Ahmad went missing after being swept away by the river current. After a search operation lasting nearly six hours, fire services personnel recovered his body.
The tragic incident has plunged Arsala Muslim Basti and the surrounding area into mourning.
