Two teenagers lost their lives after drowning in the Baitarani River at Kesharikund, located in the Champua block of Keonjhar district, on Friday.
The victims, identified as Nitesh Poddar (16) and Pritam Mahanta (16), were among a group of eight friends who had gone to the river to bathe during a school holiday.
According to reports, Nitesh, son of Manohar Poddar from Guali under Rugudi police station, was a Class 10 student at Kerala English Medium School in Champua. Pritam, son of Mahur Mahanta from Kanchan Dumuria under Baria police station, had recently appeared for his matriculation exams at Kalinga High School in Barbil. Pritam had arrived at his maternal uncle’s home in Maheshwarpur two days ago for a visit.
Today, the group, including Pritam’s cousin, decided to spend the afternoon bathing at Kesharikund, a popular spot along the Baitarani River. Around 3 PM, while the group was bathing, three of the boys began to struggle in the water. Their friends managed to rescue one of them, but Nitesh and Pritam were swept away by the strong currents.
Locals rushed to the scene and pulled the boys from the water, but their efforts were in vain. The teenagers were immediately taken to the Champua Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead on arrival.
The hospital was enveloped in grief as the families of the victims, both of whom were their parents’ only sons, mourned their devastating loss. The inconsolable cries of family members created a sombre atmosphere at the medical facility. Champua Sub-Divisional Officer Umakanta Parida, along with school authorities, visited the hospital to offer condolences and support to the grieving families.
Champua Police Station In-Charge Debaki Nayak arrived promptly at the hospital, seized the bodies, and sent them for post-mortem examination.
The police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the drowning and to determine if any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy. Preliminary reports suggest that the boys may have underestimated the depth or strength of the river’s currents.
