A major tragedy was narrowly avoided at Maravanthe beach in Udupi after five tourists, caught in a reckless selfie frenzy, were rescued from drowning in the ocean. The incident occurred when the tourists climbed onto rocks near the sea, ignoring warning signs and rough wave conditions. Strong waves dragged them into the water, sparking panic.
Fortunately, lifeguards and alert locals acted swiftly, launching a successful rescue operation. The rescued included four tourists from Bengaluru and one woman from Goa, who were saved in two separate incidents. Lifeguards Prithviraj Sahay, Pramod Raj Sahay, beach supervisor Suresh Koderi, and Ibrahim Gangolli played key roles in the rescue efforts.
Despite clear warnings from the district administration and lifeguards regarding the dangers of entering the sea—especially during high tide—many tourists continue to disregard safety protocols. Notably, tourist access has already been restricted in areas like Udupi and Malpe due to hazardous conditions, yet Maravanthe beach continues to witness risky behaviour.
Locals, frustrated by repeated incidents, have urged authorities to impose strict penalties on tourists who defy safety rules and endanger lives.
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