Balasore, June 11: In a tragic incident, two minor girls drowned in a pond while visiting a relative’s home for Bhagavati Puja in Jaleswar area of Balasore district in Odisha on Wednesday.

The deceased have been identified as Selina Behera, daughter of Sapan Behera from Khandabad village under Raibania police station, and Pratima Podihari, daughter of Lakshman Podihari from Kalsimulia village under Baliapal police station.

According to sources, the girls had traveled to their maternal uncle’s house in Purnachandrapur village under Rasgovindpur police station for the religious occasion. During their stay, they went to a nearby pond to take baths but unfortunately drowned.

After getting information, their family members rushed to rescue them with the help of locals and admitted them to the Community Health Center in Jaleswar. However, doctors declared both girls “dead” upon arrival.

On being informed, local police reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter.

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