Bajpe: Two youngsters drown while swimming in river

Team Udayavani, Sep 30, 2024, 9:58 AM IST

Two friends drowned in the currents of the Phalguni River while swimming near the Malavoor railway bridge on Sunday evening.

The victims, Sumit (20) from Kottara Chowki and Anish (19) from Urvastore, were swimming with their friends Arun (19) and Dikshit (20), both residents of Kodikal in Mangaluru. Unfortunately, Sumit and Anish got caught in the river’s whirlpool and drowned.

Upon receiving the news, Bajpe police and fire brigade teams reached the spot and began a search operation. The rescue effort continued late into the night with the help of lighting equipment. Expert divers were also called in to assist in the search. Bajpe Police Inspector Sandeep G.S. and his team have camped at the location to monitor the situation. Many locals gathered at the spot after hearing about the incident.

Sumit, who worked as a mechanic at a garage in Kottara Chowki, was the sole breadwinner for his family, as his father has been bedridden due to illness. Sumit’s sister is currently studying in college. Anish, on the other hand, worked at a soda factory to support his family.

Popular Swimming Spot Despite Risks

Locals mentioned that youth from various parts of Mangaluru visit the Malavoor dam area to swim, especially on holidays. Despite warnings from locals about strong currents during the monsoon, these warnings are often ignored. Some youths even sit on the railway bridge, jumping into the water to escape when the police approach. This disregard for safety has led to several such tragedies in the past.