Thiruvananthapuram: In a tragic incident, three medical students from Bengaluru drowned after being swept away by strong waves at Payyambalam beach in Kerala’s Kannur district on Sunday, police said.
The deceased have been identified as Afnan, Rahanuddeen, and Afras, all natives of Karnataka and students of a Bengaluru-based medical college.
According to police, the trio was part of an eight-member group visiting Kannur on a leisure trip. Despite warnings about rough sea conditions, they ventured into the water early in the morning.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred around 7 a.m. when the group entered the sea for a swim. While some stayed close to the shore, three students were pulled deeper by powerful undercurrents.
Local residents, alerted by the shouts of the others, rushed to the scene along with lifeguards and Fire and Rescue Service personnel. Two of the students — Afnan and Rahanuddeen — were rescued and taken to the Kannur Government Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.
A search operation was immediately launched to trace the third missing student, Afras. After nearly two hours of efforts by rescue teams and local fishermen, his body was recovered a short distance from where the group had entered the water.
Kannur City Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are coordinating with the victims’ families and college authorities in Karnataka to arrange for the transportation of the bodies.
Payyambalam beach, a popular tourist spot, has witnessed several drowning incidents in recent years, especially during the post-monsoon period when rip currents are strong.
Authorities have once again urged the public to follow safety warnings and avoid swimming during turbulent conditions. Officials are also considering stricter restrictions on swimming in vulnerable coastal stretches, particularly during early morning and evening hours when lifeguard deployment is limited.
With IANS inputs