Phulbani: In a heart-wrenching incident, two minor cousins drowned in a river while taking bath in Kandhamal district today afternoon.

The two minor cousins, a boy aged five and another girl child aged four, were taking bath in Salunki river. They somehow fell into deep water and were initially spotted by some alert locals.

Finding the children drowning, the locals jumped into the river to rescue the duo.

The two children were rescued in an unconscious state and took to the Tikabali Community Health Centre (CHC) where doctors declared them dead.

The two children hailed from Chhatijhar village under Tikabali police limits.

A pall of gloom descended on the area as soon as the news of death of the two cousins spread.