A minor girl went missing after three children drowned while bathing in the Baitarani River near Garedeswar in Jajpur district on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. when two brothers and their sister, accompanied by their cousin, went to the river to bathe. During the activity, all three siblings were swept away by the current. A relative present nearby raised an alarm, prompting local fishermen and residents to rush to the spot.
They managed to rescue a minor boy and a girl, but one minor girl remains untraceable. Fire services personnel launched a search operation immediately and are continuing efforts to locate the missing child.
According to family members, the children had gone to the river without informing elders. The sudden rise in water level and strong current may have contributed to the mishap. The rescued children are currently safe and under observation.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the local community. Authorities have urged residents to avoid venturing into rivers during unpredictable weather and to supervise children near water bodies.
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