Tragic Drowning Incident Claims Lives of Two Young Engineers in Odisha

A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Cuttack, Odisha, where two young engineers tragically drowned while swimming in the Kathajodi river. The engineers, part of a team working on a renovation project, faced a dire situation when one slipped into the water, prompting another to jump in for rescue. Despite efforts from the National Disaster Response Force, both lost their lives. This article delves into the details of the incident, the identities of the victims, and the ongoing investigations.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 19, 2025, 13:56 IST

Drowning Tragedy in Cuttack

Bhubaneswar: Authorities reported the discovery of the body of a young engineer who had gone missing while swimming in a river in Cuttack, Odisha, on Monday morning.

The incident involved four engineers from a private construction firm working on the renovation of SCB Medical College and Hospital. They visited the Kathajodi riverbank near Biren Mitra Park around 3 PM on Sunday.

One engineer lost his footing and fell into the deep water. In an attempt to save him, another engineer jumped in but was quickly overwhelmed by the river's strong currents.

Rescue efforts led to the recovery of one body a few hours later, while searches continued for the second individual, according to police.

A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) successfully retrieved the body this morning.

The deceased have been identified as Rutikesh Matal and Rutik Bhonje, both in their mid-20s and originally from Maharashtra.

Their bodies have been sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations, and their families have been notified about the tragic event.