Sambalpur: Fire brigade personnel on Monday fished out the body of a VSSUT student, who had drowned in the Hirakud reservoir.

K Surya Gopal, 18, a third-year student of architecture, son of K. Mallikarjuna of Berhampur, with his four other friends had been to the reservoir side near Jhankerani temple for picnic on Sunday as the college was declared summer holiday after completion of their examination. There they went for a bath in the reservoir. In the process, Gopal sank, while his friends Sourav Swain, Swaagat Naik and Rakesh Naik swam ashore, said an eyewitness. They failed to rescue him.

On hearing this, vice-chancellor Atanu Choudhury, staff members and students reached the spot. They informed the fire brigade. Later, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force joined the search operation. But, they failed to trace the body till Sunday evening. On Monday morning, the body was fished out.

The body was taken for post-mortem and after that it will be handed over to the parents, police said.