In a tragic incident, four minor girls, including two siblings, drowned at Paika river near Palasudha bathing ghat on Friday.
According to district Collector Debaraj Senapati, Safia Bibi (12), daughter of Fakur Khan, Mukin Bux (7), son of Karim Bux, Afrin Biwi (9) and Ijaj Khan (7), children of late Sakura Khan of Palasudha village had gone to the river to take bathe on Friday before attaining the evening prayer. But all of them drowned in the river due to water current.
Acting on the information, Garadpur tehsildar Pramod Mohapatra and a police team and three fire brigades rushed to spot and started a search operation. While only Safia’s body was found, the rest trio was missing.
Meanwhile, district Collector Debaraj Senapati asked the Cuttack -based ODRAF team to assist in search and rescue operation. The ODRAF team was on its way to Palasudha on Friday evening when the report was being filed.