Dhenkanal: In a shocking incident, a minor girl met a watery grave and another went missing in a pond where they were taking bath at Karmul village under Gandia police limits in Dhenkanal district Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Anita Mallick (10) and the missing girl as Ankita Mallick of Karmul village. Whether they were related to each other or not is yet to be ascertained.
According to a source, Anita and Ankita had gone to the village pond to bathe. While bathing, their feet presumably slipped and they fell deep into the pond.
It was when they did not return till late, family members launched a frantic search for them. Seeing their clothes kept near the bathing ghat, they took no time to understand what had happened.
On being informed, fire personnel reached the spot and rescued Anita. She was immediately rushed to a nearby government hospital but it was too late. The doctors there declared her dead.
Search for Ankita was underway till filing of this report.
A pall of gloom descended on the village after the news broke out.
PNN