Two drown off Marina Beach on Valentine's Day
Venkateswaralu and his cousin Rama Rao were pulled into the sea by strong currents, at around noon.
Chennai: A frolicking dip in the sea off Marina turned a watery grave on Sunday afternoon for two persons who were part of a group celebrating the wedding anniversary of a friend.
The incident reported off in Marina Beach came as a chilling dampener for couples who thronged the beach to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Police said Venkateswaralu, (26), and his cousin Rama Rao, (25), both residents of Pallavaram, were pulled into the sea by strong currents, at around noon.
Those who accompanied them raised an alarm and fisherfolk from the neighbouring fishing hamlet went into the sea in a rescue attempt.
The duo was fished out of the sea and rushed in a 108 ambulance to the GRH (Government Royapettah Hospital) where the doctors declared the duo 'brought dead'. The bodies were subsequently moved to the morgue.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Venkateswaralu’s cousin Praveenkumar said that they had come to the beach only around noon.
“We were here to celebrate a friend's wedding anniversary”, he said, when he was waiting at the morgue. Rama Rao was married and working in the clerical cadre in the civic body. Venkateswaralu, a bachelor, had completed his M.Pharm and was looking for a job.