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The missing persons are identified as Milan (20), Likhith (18), and Nagaraj (24).
It is gathered that Milan worked as a delivery worker, while Likhith is a first-year PUC student at Rosa Mystica PU College in Kaikamba, and Nagaraj worked as a supervisor at MMR Company located in Mungaru Junction, Baikampady.
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A group of five friends from Ambedkar Colony, including the trio, had reportedly chosen Panambur Beach for a holiday outing on Sunday. Despite warnings of turbulent sea conditions due to strong winds, they ventured into the water for a swim and were overcome by the huge waves.
Eyewitnesses described the sea as being tumultuous due to very strong winds. Although sirens had been sounded to caution beachgoers, the youths reportedly eluded the lifeguard’s watchful eye and entered the water, only to be surrounded by the relentless waves.
The incident occurred amid a 3-day ‘Kadalotsava’ festival that had drawn a large number of tourists to the beach, exacerbating the challenge for security personnel.
The police have initiated a search operation for the missing individuals and have registered a case at the Panambur police station.
3rd drowning incident in 9 days
Tragically, this incident marks the third in a series of recent water-related fatalities in the region. Just nine days prior, on February 24, a 13-year-old boy named Tukaram was swept away by a massive wave at Panambur Beach. His body was discovered near Thannirbavi the following day.
On February 27, four students lost their lives in a drowning incident at Koppal Dam in Haleangady. The students, aged 15 and attending a private school in Surathkal, had gone missing after completing their SSLC Preparatory Examination. Their bodies were recovered from the river at Koppal Dam later that night.