Bhatkal: Two youths drowned in the Arabian Sea at the popular Nastar Beach in Bhatkal on Wednesday evening.
The deceased were identified as Afroz (34) and Rizwan (28), residents of Kanpur . They were among a group of seven individuals working at a local textile shop in Bhatkal.
According to sources, the group had visited the beach around 4:00 pm for leisure. While three of them remained seated along the shoreline, the other four climbed an adjacent rocky hill to view the waves. A sudden strong wave surged upward, striking two of the men and sweeping them into the sea.
As the incident came to light, a large number of locals gathered at the spot. Social activist Saud Gawai, along with three other youths—Sayyan and Shazib among them—entered the rough waters in an attempt to rescue the victims. However, by the time they reached them, both had already died.
The youths later brought the bodies ashore, with one of the bodies retrieved with the help of a local fishermen’s boat.
Police officials, including Bhatkal DySP Girish, Rural Police Inspector Venkatesh, and personnel from the Coastal Security Police, rushed to the scene and initiated necessary procedures.
The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary of the Bhatkal Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Further investigation is underway.