Kovalam Coast Mishap:One Body Recovered; 4 Missing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five youths were feared drowned off Kovalam coast on Saturday evening after being swept away by strong currents while venturing out into the sea for a bath. The body of one youth was recovered by Saturday mid-night. The search operations are progressing under the aegis of Marine Enforcement, Coast Guard and the Vizhinjam coastal police. A Dornier aircraft of Coast Guard also took part in the search operations. The Indian Navy is also lending assistance.

The deceased has been identified as Anoop Giri (21), a resident of Varkala and a hotel management student. The body was handed over to the family after an autopsy at Medical College Hospital.

The missing youths are Jithin G Carmel (21), Nithin Raj(21), Abhishek (30) and Akhil P Jayan (21). Jithin and Nithin Raj are engineering students at P A Aziz Engineering College, Karakulam and Marian Engineering College, Kazhakuttom respectively. Akhil is a medical student at Kozhikode Medical College while Abhishek is a basket ball coach at MGM college, Vellayani.

“The five reached the light house beach at around 5.30 pm and moved to the sea for a bath. They left the spot initially after being warned by life guards and locals but returned by around 7 pm ignoring the warnings,” said Suresh, CI, Vizhinjam coastal police station.