A relaxing morning at the beach turned into a devastating tragedy for a group of engineering students from Andhra Pradesh when two of them were dragged into the sea by powerful waves at the Blue Flag Beach near Kovalam in Chennai on Saturday morning.
Ignored Warnings Lead to Disaster
The incident occurred around 6:30 am when the two students, identified as Kethan Sivakumar, 19, and Nikhil Anandan Naidu, 19, entered the water with eight of their classmates. The group, all first-year B.Tech students at SSN College of Engineering hailing from Tirupati and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, reportedly ignored the prominently displayed red flag warnings. These warnings were in place due to rough sea conditions following alerts issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Desperate Rescue Efforts and a Grim Outcome
A powerful wave suddenly swept Kethan and Nikhil away from the shore. Fishermen and lifeguards on duty immediately rushed into the turbulent waters to attempt a rescue. They managed to pull Kethan Sivakumar out of the sea. He was rushed to the government hospital in Chengalpet, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Despite extensive efforts by lifeguards and local fishermen, the search for Nikhil Anandan Naidu proved unsuccessful throughout the day. By late evening, he remained untraceable, with hopes for his safe return fading with every passing hour.
Large-Scale Search Operation Launched
Following the tragic incident, officials from the Coastal Security Group and the Indian Coast Guard launched a large-scale search and rescue operation. The operation involved the use of boats and drones to scan the vast coastline and waters in a desperate bid to locate the missing student.
An investigating officer noted the perilous conditions, stating, "The sea was rough, and a red flag was prominently displayed. We suspect the students were unaware of the danger or ignored the warnings." The police have registered a case and have informed the parents of both students about the heartbreaking incident.
This tragic event serves as a stark and somber reminder of the immense power of the sea and the critical importance of heeding official safety warnings, especially red flags indicating dangerous swimming conditions.
