Two medical students from Burla’s VIMSAR tragically drowned at the Debjharan Waterfall under Jujomura police limits in Sambalpur district on Saturday.
The victims have been identified as Monika Meena (24) from Rajasthan and Sandeep Puri (24) from Delhi, both fourth-year MBBS students.
Sources confirm that the duo had visited the scenic spot early morning with a group of six friends. Despite an official notice prohibiting visits to waterfalls during holidays, the students ventured to the top of the falls. While attempting to take selfies, they slipped on wet rocks and fell into the water.
Neither of them knew how to swim. Monika sustained a serious head injury while both were swept away by the strong current. Their friends alerted the Jujumura fire brigade, who launched an immediate rescue operation. Monika was pulled out first, while Sandeep was recovered after an intensive search. Both were rushed to the Jujumura Group Health Centre, where doctors declared them dead.
According to VIMSAR officials, the families have been informed, and post-mortems are underway. Jujomura police have filed a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.
