Bhubaneswar: In a tragic incident, two students lost their lives after drowning in the Kuakhai River on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday afternoon.
The deceased have been identified as Pankaj Kumar Saha and Prateek Pallaru, both natives of states outside Odisha. The two, aged around 18 years, were in Bhubaneswar for coaching for the JEE Main examination at a private coaching institute.
As per information, the coaching institute had organised a New Year picnic on the banks of the Kuakhai river in Jaripatna area. Amid celebrations, Pankaj and Prateek reportedly entered the river for a bath. After they failed to return for several minutes, their friends searched for them, but they could not be traced.
After getting information, fire service personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue and search operation. After thorough search, the two were pulled out of the river and rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Further details are awaited.
