Bhubaneswar: An 18-year-old youth went missing in Ib river during a picnic at Kanakunda, a popular tourist spot, in Sundargarh district of Odisha today.

The youth has been identified as Satwik, a native Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. His uncle is working at NTPC power plant at Darlipali in Sundargarh.

Satwik and his sister had come to his uncle’s house to spend the Puja vacation.

Satwik along with 14 others including five girls, all from the families of the NTPC power plant employees, went to Kanakunda near Ghogar under Balisankara block for a picnic today afternoon.

He went missing while taking bath in the river at around 3 pm. Satwik was drifted away by the strong currents after he slipped his feet in the river.

On being informed, officials of Talasara police and Fire Brigade personnel reached the spot and launched an operation to rescue the missing youth.

It is worth mentioning here that at least five tourists have drowned in Ib river at Kanakunda in the past.