5, including 3 students, go missing in Visakhapatnam sea

Visakhapatnam: A Sunday outing turned tragic for beachgoers in Vizag, as five persons including three Class-X students were feared drowned after they went for a swim at RK Beach, while one fisherman drowned at Yarada Beach. As per reports from various sources, 18 students, all having just written their SSC examination and waiting for results, came to the beach from Mangalapalem area under Kothavalasa mandal of Vizianagaram district.

While 10 were swimming in the waters, opposite the Vishwapriya Function Hall, they were caught in a strong current which pulled them deep into the sea. Three of their friends drowned while seven were rescued by the community guard at the spot. The missing persons were identified as B. Varaprasad, S. Sravan and K. Seshu, all aged around 16 years.

During the same time while the community guards were rescuing the students, another batch of about 11 persons from Koraput area of Odisha was caught in the current. While nine of them were able to get ashore, two were sucked in. The community guards rescued one them but Korra Seetanna, 17, went missing.

In another incident, four persons from Bihar who are working as workers at the container terminal went for a swim and one went missing. He was identified as Babbar Khan. Eyewitnesses said the three incidents happened around 4.30 pm and in close proximity at the RK Beach.

The students ventured into the waters at around 4.25 pm and after a few minutes, a big wave surged towards them and took them deep into the waters.  At Yarada Beach, fisherman K. Dhanaraju, 20, was sucked in while he was spreading his net. Others present at the spot rescued him, but he died while being shifted to a hospital.

The police have launched a search operation to trace the missing persons with a help of life guards, marine police, fishermen and coast guard personnel.