Salipur: Two youths met their watery grave and three others had a close shave while taking a bath in Chitrotpala river under Salipur police limits in Kendrapara district, today.

Identities of the two deceased youths and three others who narrowly escaped have not been ascertained yet, a senior cop from Salipur police station said.

According to a source, five youths who happened to be friends had gone to the river to take a bath near Jalahari village in the district when they slipped deep into the water. Some locals who were present nearby rescued three of them, but two youths went missing. A frantic search was initiated but to no avail. Later, the bodies of two were fished out from the water, the source added.

On being informed, Salipur police reached the spot and launched a probe, which is underway. Police have seized the bodies and sent them to a nearby hospital for post-mortem.