Jharsuguda: Two youths drowned while bathing in the Ib river near Budhipadar village in Jharsuguda district on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Pankaj Kumar Sahu (21) and Abhiram Sahu (16), both residents under the Sadar police limits.
According to reports, the incident took place when the two youths were bathing in the river and were swept away near the embankment area. Locals present at the spot managed to rescue them from the water and immediately alerted emergency services.
However, it is alleged that the ambulance reached the spot after a delay. The injured youths were then taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Following the incident, family members and relatives alleged lapses in medical response, claiming that there was delay in treatment and ambulance services. They termed it a case of medical negligence.
A tense situation was reported at the District Headquarters Hospital after the deaths, reports said.
Further details are awaited.
