India, Sept. 16 -- Three minor girls drowned in the Sankh river in Odisha's Sundaragada district on Wednesday while they were bathing with a group of other girls who had gone to collect sand for a puja ceremony.Odisha Travel Guide

The incident occurred at Majhatoli in Salangabahal panchayat under Raiboga police limits.

According to information, around 15 minor girls from the village went to the nearby Sankh river to collect sand for the puja. Before collecting the sand, the girls entered the river to bathe. During this time, three of them ventured into deep water and drowned.

The deceased have been identified as Sibika Sahu (6), Gitika Sahu (6), and Shruti Sahu (8). All three were residents of Majhatoli.

The other girls who were acco...