Chilika: A rescue operation began in the vast waters of Chilika Lake near Satpada after a 60-year-old man went missing on Thursday after accidentally falling off a floating bridge.
The missing individual has been identified as Umashankar Sabat, a resident of Balimela in Malkangiri district.
According to sources, Sabat was visiting the popular tourist spot with his family, having traveled from Berhampur in Ganjam district for a sightseeing trip. He slipped and plunged into the lake while on the floating bridge, a common access point for visitors exploring Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
The Satapada outpost police confirmed that they have received information about the missing person.
Fire Services personnel were soon deployed to conduct an intensive search with the rescuers recovering a bag, a cap, and a pair of slippers from the waters near the bridge, which are suspected to belong to Sabat.
As of now, there have been no eyewitness accounts confirming the exact moment of the fall, and no further sightings of Sabat have been reported.
