Bhubaneswar, Jul 31 (IANS): In a tragic mishap, five persons including four children died after an under-construction culvert suddenly collapsed in Odisha’s Rayagada district on Monday.

The incident took place at Upper Saja village under Kalyansingpur block in Rayagada district at around 11 a.m. The persons were bathing in the local nullah and accidentally went near the under-construction culvert, which is being constructed by the Rural Development department, sources said.

After getting information, local police and fire services rushed to the spot and worked to clear the debris.

Odisha Law Minister Jagannath Saraka, local MLA Makaranda Muduli and Rayagada SP Vivekanand Sharma also visited the spot and took stock of the situation.

Stating it is a very unfortunate incident, the MLA said necessary action against the persons responsible for the mishap need to be taken.

Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives in the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for family members of each deceased. The CM has also ordered to take strong action against officials responsible for the mishap.