Missing Youth’s Body Recovered After Car Plunges into Birupa River

The youth, also known as Atul alias Udit Narayan Sahu, came from Lingipur under Dhauli police limits in Bhubaneswar. Last night, fire services officials retrieved the car and Udit’s mobile phone. However, his body remained missing until Thursday morning. Meanwhile, local residents rescued his friend, Anshuman Panda, from Lingipur and admitted him to SCB Medical College and Hospital in critical condition.

Earlier in the day, Udit, Anshuman, and three other friends travelled from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack to attend a restaurant inauguration at Chauliaganj. Afterwards, they headed toward the Birupa River using Google Maps. While three companions stayed back near the riverbank, Udit and Anshuman drove to a shop on IB Road near Narayan Vihar. Reports indicate that while returning, their car veered off the road and plunged into the river.

Immediately after the accident, fire services launched a frantic search‑and‑rescue operation. Later, ODRAF teams and scuba divers joined the effort. In addition, local youths displayed remarkable courage by rescuing Anshuman, but Udit remained untraceable.

Authorities initially feared Udit might be trapped inside the vehicle. Yet, when the car was pulled out late at night, he was not found inside. Witnesses reported that the car’s lights remained visible underwater for a long time. Nevertheless, rescue teams struggled to locate the exact spot.

Following DCP Rishikesh Khilari’s intervention, fire service units from Tangi, Choudwar, and Chauliaganj, along with ODRAF and scuba divers, intensified the search. Finally, they recovered Udit’s body on Thursday morning. Moreover, senior officials, including former MLA Dr Prabhat Ranjan Biswal, ACP Arun Kumar Swain, District Fire Officer Sanjeeb Behera, and Jagatpur IIC Aniruddha Nayak, supervised the operation.

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