Mangaluru: The body of 14-year-old Shreyas S Kumbara, who was swept away by strong waves while playing in the sea at Panambur on October 4, was found at Hejamady Kodi on Tuesday evening. The teenager, a resident of Renkeda Guttu in Kasaba village of Belthangady taluk, had gone to Mangaluru with his friends for Dasara-related Hulivesha dance training before the group travelled to Panambur Beach.

The incident took place on Sunday evening when Shreyas and his friends entered the sea near Kurikatta at Panambur. According to reports, a strong wave swept him into the water. He subsequently went missing, prompting a search operation by the police and others.

His disappearance had triggered a search along the coastal stretch after his father, Sesappa, lodged a complaint at Panambur police station. The search continued until the boy’s body was located at Hejamady Kodi, several kilometres away from the location where he was swept into the sea.

Boy had travelled to Mangaluru with friends

Shreyas had travelled from Belthangady taluk to Mangaluru with a group of friends for Hulivesha dance training as part of the Dasara season. After completing their training, the boys travelled to Panambur Beach.

The group later went to the Kurikatta area of Panambur, where they entered the sea to play. At around 6pm, Shreyas was reportedly swept away by strong waves after entering the water. The incident occurred despite the presence of his friends, who were unable to prevent him from being carried away by the waves.

Initial reports stated that Shreyas had visited the beach with five friends. The group was playing in the water when a powerful wave struck and swept the teenager into the sea. His friends reportedly became frightened following the incident and did not immediately inform his family.

The family learnt about the incident the following morning. Shreyas’s father subsequently approached Panambur police station and lodged a complaint, following which police registered a case and initiated efforts to trace the missing teenager.

Search operation launched along the coast

Following the complaint, a search operation was launched to locate Shreyas. Police personnel, lifeguards and local teams were involved in efforts to trace the teenager along the coastal waters.

The search was complicated by the nature of the coastline and the strong sea conditions. When a person is swept away by waves, the body can be carried considerable distances by currents, making searches along neighbouring beaches and coastal stretches necessary.

The operation eventually led to the recovery of the body at Hejamady Kodi in Udupi district. The location is away from Panambur, where Shreyas was last seen. The discovery brought an end to the search that had continued after his disappearance.

Body recovered at Hejamady Kodi

The body was found on Tuesday evening along the Shambhavi riverbank at Hejamady Kodi. Shreyas’s father identified the body following its recovery.

According to reports, a case has been registered at Padubidri police station following the recovery. The postmortem examination was completed and the body was subsequently handed over to the family.

The movement of the body from the Panambur area to Hejamady Kodi also highlights the impact that strong waves and coastal currents can have when a person is swept into the sea.

Incident highlights risks of entering the sea

The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with entering the sea, particularly when waves and currents are strong. Beaches along the Karnataka coast attract large numbers of visitors during holidays and festivals, with families and groups of young people often visiting popular locations such as Panambur.

While beaches remain popular recreational destinations, sea conditions can change rapidly. A seemingly manageable stretch of water can become dangerous when strong waves or currents develop. The incident involving Shreyas demonstrates how quickly a recreational outing can turn into an emergency.

Panambur is among the most visited beaches in and around Mangaluru. During the Dasara holiday period, the number of visitors to tourist destinations in the coastal city can increase, making awareness about beach safety particularly important.

Visitors are generally advised to remain within designated safe areas, follow instructions from lifeguards and avoid entering the sea when conditions are unsafe. Children and teenagers require particular supervision when visiting the beach, especially when they are playing close to or inside the water.

Family receives body after identification

For Shreyas’s family, the search ended with the recovery and identification of his body. The teenager’s death has brought a tragic end to what had begun as a trip to Mangaluru for dance training and a visit to the beach with friends.

The sequence of events also underlines the importance of immediately informing family members and authorities when a person goes missing or is swept away at sea. Early information can help emergency teams begin search and rescue operations without delay.

In this case, the family was informed only the following morning, after which the complaint was filed and the search began. Authorities and rescue teams subsequently searched the coastal area before the body was located at Hejamady Kodi.

Coastal safety remains a concern

The incident has renewed attention on safety at popular beaches along the Karnataka coast. Strong waves and currents can pose a serious threat even to people who are close to the shoreline.

With the Dasara holiday period underway, beaches and other tourist destinations are expected to see increased visitor movement. Ensuring that visitors remain alert to sea conditions and follow safety instructions can help reduce the risk of similar incidents.

For parents and guardians, keeping children within supervised areas and discouraging them from entering deeper waters is particularly important. Lifeguard warnings and beach safety notices should also be followed at all times.

Conclusion:

The recovery of 14-year-old Shreyas S Kumbara’s body at Hejamady Kodi has brought the search for the Panambur Beach victim to a tragic end. The incident highlights the dangers posed by strong waves and currents and serves as a reminder for beach visitors to exercise caution and follow safety instructions, particularly during holidays and periods of heavy tourist movement.