Tragedy at Rushikonda: Three Teenagers Drown During Gandhi Jayanti Beach Outing
VISAKHAPATNAM – A holiday outing turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Gandhi Jayanti as three teenage boys drowned after being swept away by strong currents at the popular Rushikonda beach. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, concluded with the recovery of all three bodies by Saturday morning.
The Incident
The victims have been identified as 14-year-old school students Pilla Prashanth, Sattaruvu Suryaprakash, and Sabbavarapu Ritesh. According to local police, the trio were part of a group of six friends—all students from a private school in the Madhurawada area—who arrived at the beach near the IT Park Junction on the Bheemili road around 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
As the group spent the afternoon by the water, four of the boys decided to venture into the surf. Two other friends, Prasagada Hemanth Kumar and Anamakonda Nagesh, chose to remain on the sand, observing from the shore. What began as a recreational swim quickly escalated into a life-threatening crisis.
Caught by a Rogue Wave
Authorities noted that the group was standing in knee-deep water when conditions abruptly worsened. A powerful, unexpected wave struck the four boys, destabilizing them instantly. While Sattaruvu Hemanth managed to fight the currents and pull himself back to safety, his three companions were immediately pulled into deeper water by a fierce undertow.
“The four boys were reportedly standing in knee-deep water when a huge wave suddenly struck them. Hemanth managed to reach the shore, but Suryaprakash, Ritesh and Prashanth were dragged into deeper waters by the strong current,” an officer involved in the investigation stated.
Extensive Search and Recovery
Upon being alerted to the disappearance of the teens, a massive multi-agency rescue operation was launched. The mission saw the coordination of Coast Guard personnel, who deployed a helicopter for aerial surveillance, alongside specialized units from the Marine Police, the Pothinamallayyapalem police department, local professional lifeguards, and experienced fishermen from the region.
Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi arrived at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised. He personally supervised the search effort, which continued throughout Friday evening and into the following day.
The first body, that of Pilla Prashanth, was recovered late Friday evening. Despite the darkness and challenging sea conditions, search teams maintained their efforts, eventually locating the bodies of Suryaprakash and Ritesh, which washed ashore early Saturday morning.
The loss of the three young lives has cast a pall of gloom over the Madhurawada neighborhood. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of the coastline, particularly during high-tide hours. Local authorities have reiterated their calls for visitors to remain vigilant and heed warning signs posted along the beach, noting that even seemingly shallow waters can become dangerous in an instant. The police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident as they provide support to the grieving families.
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