A college student from Bengaluru remains missing after being swept away by strong waves at Payyambalam Beach in Kerala’s Kannur district during a visit with friends, authorities said.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when a group of four Karnataka natives reached the popular beach after a pilgrimage to Kottiyoor. According to reports, rough sea conditions prevailed along the coast at the time.
Strong waves sweep away two visitors
Officials said two members of the group entered the sea and were caught in powerful waves. Lifeguards stationed at the beach managed to rescue one of them, while the other, identified as Bengaluru native Santhosh Kumar, a college student, went missing in the water. Search operations were launched immediately.
Local residents said the sea had been unusually rough, with strong currents making rescue efforts difficult. Authorities continued searching for the missing student for several hours after the incident.
Earlier rescue averts another tragedy
In a separate incident on the same day, lifeguards rescued eight visitors from Karnataka who were caught in strong waves after entering the sea despite rough conditions. Their timely intervention prevented a major tragedy, officials said.
However, only hours later, another group reportedly entered the water, unaware of the dangers posed by the turbulent sea, leading to the latest incident.
Beach safety concerns resurface
The incident has once again highlighted safety concerns at Payyambalam Beach, which has witnessed several drowning incidents in recent years involving visitors from Karnataka and other states. Authorities regularly caution tourists against entering the sea during rough weather and periods of strong undercurrents.
Officials have urged visitors to follow safety advisories and heed warnings issued by lifeguards, especially during the monsoon season when sea conditions can change rapidly.