In a shocking incident, two minor girls drowned while taking a bath in the Nagabali River of Rayagada district on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Anu Abdul (10) and Hemabati Suna (11) of Sana Chandili village under Chandili Police limits.
As per reports, the deceased were two friends. After returning from school, they went to the river to take a bath. It is suspected that the duo slipped leading to the mishap.
Local people immediately launched a rescue operation. They first rescued Anu, daughter of Tulasi Abdul, and rushed her to the nearby hospital. But the doctor pronounced her dead.
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Meanwhile, a team of fire personnel joined the villagers in searching for the other girl. Later, they rescued Hemabati, daughter of Rajkumar Suna, and rushed her to the hospital where she died.
A pall of gloom descended on the village following the death of two girls.