Astarang: In a tragic incident, three minor students met their water grave while taking a bath in Devi river near Balidia village under Astarang police limits in Puri district, today.

The deceased were identified as Ayusman Behera (13), Ritesh Behera (14), and Rohan Behera (13), who belonged to Balidia village and were studying in Class VIII, Class IX, and Class VIII, respectively.

According to a source, four minor students had gone to the river to take a bath. Three of them were swept away in river water and went missing. The other boy shouted for help after seeing his friends in this condition. Later, after hearing the scream of fourth minor, some locals including his parents reached the spot and rescued Ayusman, Ritesh, and Rohan with the help of fishing net. The three were immediately taken to a government-run health facility in Charichhak, where doctors declared them ‘dead’.

On being informed, Astarang police reached the spot and seized the bodies, and sent them for post-mortem. Police have initiated a probe into the untimely demises of the three minors.

A pall of gloom descended on the village and nearby localities after news of the deaths spread.