Balasore: In a tragic incident, two Bol Bam devotees drowned in Salandi river in Simulia area of Odisha's Balasore district.

The deceased were identified as Subrat Mahakud and Rajesh Sahu of Barajayapur village under Khaira block of the district.

The two had gone missing in the river after being swept away in the water body, yesterday. The incident took place when the two along with several Kanwariyas were taking dip in the river and colleting water in their pitchers.

ODRAF personnel had launched an operation to trace and rescue them. Unfortunately, their bodies were recovered from the river today.

A pall of gloom descended on their village after the demise of the duo.