Murmru’s body was found floating near Dhabaleswar and fished out by the ODRAF rescue team, says report.
Odisha SRC Pradip Jena has also confirmed the death on his Twitter.
"#ODRAF personnel Sitaram Murmu, an expert diver &swimmer missing in y’day’s unfortunate boat tragedy is reported dead. Body found near Dhabaleswar. Very saddened. RIP. I request@DGPOdisha 2review SOP & order no outsider, civilian or media should be part of any rescue mission," posted Jena on his Twitter handle.
OTV Chief Reporter Arindam Das had lost his life and video journalist Prabhat Sinha was rescued in a critical condition. He is currently under treatment at SCB Medical in Cuttack.
Worth mentioning, a team of five to six ODRAF personnel ventured into the water of Munduli barrage to rescue an elephant stuck in the middle of the river. Arindam and Pravat accompanied them to cover the entire operation. But much to their misfortune, the inflatable motor boat stopped working after being sucked into a whirlpool and overturned.
While three of the ODRAF members and Prabhat were rescued later in critical condition, Arindam was swept fighting till the last minutes. He succumbed while being shifted to SCB Medical post rescue.
Search for Murmu continued till long but his body was recovered finally.
