2 youths go missing while taking bath in Kharasrota river in Odisha’s Jajpur; search on

Jajpur: Two youths, who happen to be brothers, went missing today while taking a bath in Kharasrota river at Jokadia locality under Jajpur Road police limits in this district.

The youths have been identified as Sashwat Swain (24) and his younger brother Swastik Swain (21). The two hail from Sibananda Nagar near Ferrochrome Colony of the district.

According to a source, five youths had gone to the river for a time pass. One of them was roaming near the riverbank and four others went to take a bath. Due to reasons not known yet, Sashwat was swept away by river water. His younger brother attempted to rescue him but also went missing.

On being informed by some locals, a team of fire services personnel reached the spot and launched a frantic search. The operation was underway till the time when this report was filed.

“The youths have not been traced yet,” a member of the search team said.

In another incident today, a youth identified as 23-year-old Sebaka Rath met his watery grave while taking a bath in Chitrotpala river near Talakusuma village under Kudanagari police limits in Kendrapara district. Sebaka had gone to the river along with some of his friends and later drowned.

Sebaka was fished out from the river water by some locals with the help of fire services personnel and was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him ‘dead’.