Cuttack: The Odisha Police has initiated an investigation into the ODRAF boat tragedy in Mahanadi river here that claimed the life of Arindam Das, senior reporter of leading regional news channel OTV, today.

The investigation was being carried out by RK Sharma, ADG, Law & Order. The circumstances under which the journalist was allowed to board the boat will be brought under the purview of the probe.

Notably, Das and cameraman Pravat Sinha, who accompanied an ODRAF team on a boat during an operation to rescue an elephant stuck in Mahanadi river near Mundali barrage here, were rescued after the boat capsized due to strong current.

Das and Sinha were rushed to the SCB Medical College and Hospital, where doctor declared Das dead.

Till last reports came in, Sinha was undergoing treatment in the ICU.

Around five to six ODRAF personnel were pressed into service for rescuing the stranded elephant. The boat overturned when the rescue team was trying to help the pachyderm to reach the river bank, following which all occupants of the boat fell into water.

The operation was launched after the elephant was spotted in deep water near the barriage, this morning. The tusker was reportedly swept away while crossing Mahanadi river at Athagarh in the wee hours.

Locals initially spotted the stranded animal and raised an alarm.