A tragic incident unfolded at Chandrabhaga Beach near Konark on Sunday afternoon, where three young men lost their lives in separate drowning incidents while bathing in the sea.
The serene beach, a popular tourist destination, turned into a scene of sorrow as strong waves claimed the lives of the victims. In the first incident, three friends from Bhubaneswar, employed at a private car servicing company in Kesora, had come to Chandrabhaga for a recreational outing. While bathing, two of them, identified as Rahul Senapati and 23-year-old Arupananda Jena from Jamtala village under Kurujang panchayat in Konark, were swept away by powerful waves. Lifeguards and fire service personnel managed to rescue them and rushed them to the Gop Community Health Centre, but doctors declared both dead on arrival.
In a separate incident near the Eco Retreat, about a kilometre from Chandrabhaga Beach, Pintu Pattnaik from Pahal in Cuttack drowned while bathing with friends. Despite rescue efforts, he could not be saved. The Konark police seized the bodies and sent them for post-mortem, with investigations underway to ascertain the circumstances.
Chandrabhaga and the nearby Ramachandi estuary are known for their strong currents, and tourists often venture into deep waters despite warnings. Authorities have repeatedly urged visitors to exercise caution while bathing to prevent such tragedies.
