Birthday boy among two drowned in Rushikonda Beach in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: A teenager celebrating his birthday drowned along with his friend near Rushikonda Beach, Visakhapatnam on Saturday afternoon.

The police said a group of friends had gone for a swim at Rushikonda beach in Vizag city on Saturday. The youngster S Rajesh (16), who was celebrating his birthday, went missing in the waters and is feared to have drowned.

Six youngsters, all studying in classes 8 to 10 from Marikavalasa and Paradesipalem came to the beach to celebrate Rajesh's birthday. They had a great time and Rajesh cut the birthday cake.

While five of them were enjoying the splash, three were caught in a strong current and were dragged deep into the sea. Two of them- Moyya Pardhu and P Sai were rescued by the lifeguards and shifted to GITAM Hospital. But later Pardhu died. Sai is availing treatment and his condition is known to be stable. The police said that Rajesh who was celebrating his birthday was a class 10 student while Pardhu (14) was a class 8 student in a private school. Eyewitnesses said the students ventured into the waters around 2.30 pm. After a few minutes, a big wave pulled them and took them deep into the waters. The police launched a search operation to trace Rajesh.

Lifeguards at Rushikonda Beach said that though they warned the youngsters not to venture into the waters they ignored their advice.