Six children died in three separate drowning incidents in Odisha’s Ganjam and Sundergarh districts on Wednesday. In Sundergarh, three girls drowned in the Shankh River while collecting sand for Karma Puja. Police identified the victims as 6-year-old Geetika Sahu, 6-year-old Sibika Sahu and 8-year-old Sruti Sahu, all residents of Majhatoli. The incident took place around 9 am in Salangabahal village under Raiboga police station limits. Police sent the bodies to a local hospital for post-mortem examination.
Also Read : Gurugram Biker Crash: Police Arrest Kalyan Bainsla in Rajasthan
Six Children Die in Separate Drowning Incidents
In a separate incident in Ganjam, a Class 8 student drowned in a village pond during Ganesh idol immersion. Police identified the deceased as Sitanshu Jena. Locals pulled him out of the pond and rushed him to Digapahandi hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The incident occurred around 10 am during the immersion ritual. Police have begun investigating the circumstances that led to the drowning.
Two more students lost their lives while participating in Ganesh idol immersion in the Ghodahad River in Ganjam. Police identified the victims as 14-year-old Adarsh Sahu and 14-year-old Preetam Sameli, both residents of the Hinjilicut municipality area. The boys accidentally slipped into the river during the rituals. Locals rescued them from the water and took them to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared them dead.
Also Read : India Warns Pakistan After Naval Ship Collides With Indian Vessel
Three More Children Die During Ganesh Idol Immersion
Police have sent the bodies of all six victims for post-mortem examinations. Authorities have registered cases and started investigations into the separate incidents. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding each drowning and the safety arrangements during the festival activities. The incidents have left the families and local communities in deep grief. Further details are expected as the investigations continue.
The three incidents occurred during religious and festival-related activities in the two Odisha districts. While the three girls drowned while collecting sand for Karma Puja, the other three victims drowned during Ganesh idol immersion. Police and local authorities are examining the incidents to establish how the children entered the water. The deaths have raised concerns about safety around rivers and ponds during such activities.
Also Read : Gurugram Biker Crash: Police Arrest Kalyan Bainsla in Rajasthan