Berhampur: A woman allegedly tried to kill her three children by throwing them into a well and later jumped into it at Lauguda village in Aska area of Odisha's Ganjam district, last night.

While the woman, identified as Rashmita Goud, and her elder daughter Gunjan were rescued, her minor son Ashish and daughter Alisha drowned in the well.

According to reports, the accused took the extreme step after her family members fell asleep. On hearing the sound of the splash, her kin rushed to the spot and found the four in the well.

Some villagers swung into action and managed to rescue the woman and her elder daughter.

As the locals failed to trace the two children, they informed the Fire Services personnel. Tragically, the two children couldn't be rescued as they drowned in the well.

Their bodies were fished out of the well by the Fire Services personnel.

Police have recovered the bodies for post-mortem and started an investigation. The woman was being questioned by the cops.

Though the reason behind the shocking act of the woman was yet to be ascertained, it is being suspected that she did so over family dispute.

A pall of gloom descended on the village after the tragic incident.