KOCHI: IN a tragic incident, two students drowned in the Periyar river near regulator-cum-bridge at Purappillikavu, Karumaloor in North Paravur on Saturday, while another had a narrow escape.
According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Deekshith, 17, son of Joshi, Mukkunkal, Kaitharam, and Devanand, 19, son of Suresh, Nellippilly, Kaitharam.
According to the officers, the 10-member group went to the river to take bath around 1 pm. Deekshith and Devanand were got caught in the undercurrent. Though they attempted to get out of the water with the help of others, they were sucked in by the strong current. Rahul, another student who was also caught in the undercurrent, escaped by holding onto a thermocol box thrown by a passerby who reached the spot hearing the cries of the students.
According to the police officers, the youths did not know swimming.
Deekshith is a Plus 2 student at SMH HSS, Cherai, while Devanand is a final BA Malayalam student at SNM College, Maliankara.A team of Navy joined the search operations with the police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel.
Deekshith’s body was recovered by 6 pm while Devanand’s body was recovered by 7.30 pm. Bodies were shifted to the North Paravur Taluk Government Hospital for conducting an autopsy. According to North Paravur police, which began inquest procedures, the bodies will be handed over to relatives after conducting a post-mortem on Sunday.