Kendrapada: In a saddening incident, three persons lost their lives after being swept away by strong currents while bathing in the Luna River in Kendrapada district.

The deceased have identified as Sabyasachi Swain, Himanshu Sekhar Satapathy and Chiranjeevi Parida. 

According to eyewitnesses, a group of seven people went to the river to bathe at Gahaga Ghat. During the bath, one of them was suddenly swept away by the current. As the others attempted to rescue him, two more people were caught in the strong current and swept away.

Three of the people who were in danger were rescued by their companions, while the remaining three went missing in the river.

Following the incident, local residents and fire services personnel launched a search and rescue operation. After an intensive search, the bodies of three missing persons were recovered. 

A pall of gloom has descended in the area following the drowning of the three youth.