Two minor schoolgirls tragically lost their lives after drowning in a pond at Badanaikguda village under Pujariguda panchayat in Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada district on Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Kamy Tiaka (12), daughter of Sira Tiaka, and Nilu Kadraka (12). Both victims were seventh-grade students at the local Badanaikguda village school.
According to reports, the girls had gone to Shantinagar pond, located about a kilometre from the village, to bathe as part of their daily routine. While bathing, they accidentally stepped into deep water and submerged.
Local bystanders spotted them and immediately alerted villagers and family members, who rushed to the scene and pulled the girls from the water. Unfortunately, both had already succumbed.
Upon receiving information, Sub-Inspector Hemanta Kumar Baria of the Kalyansinghpur police station arrived at the scene with a team, recovered the bodies, and registered an unnatural death case.
Further investigation is underway.
